Tax Credits help line - Alternative number is ...

dizzyblonde82

I used the 0845 300 3600 a couple of days ago and got through in under a minute I was also doing them a favour as my son started school so childcare costs have dropped from £130 a week to £25!

hutch610

If we are all not getting through, who are they talking to for it to be busy all the time. Driving me mad, then be our own fault if they overpay us. If i cant get through then someone must be for it t be busy. Tried bang on 8am got the menu, pressed 3 and 1 before she'd finished, and then got transferred and it was just an engaged tone.
Think 'll try at weekend

hutch610

angelbreeze wrote: »

been tryin for days,and not been able to get through,but just tried the 0845 300 3600 no and got straight through thanks

Perhaps they should put staff from that number onto the other number, seems there's alot sitting around if they answer quickly.

rai78

I rang the 0845 3003600 number and the first thing she asked was where I was calling from. After saying Scotland she told me she couldn't deal with me and to ring the other number at which point I burst into tears. I explained (amoung sobs) that I'd been calling for over three weeks with over 50 calls ( I have the phone statment to prove it) and that they had my wages estimated to high. This was effecting other benefits and I was desperate.
I'm so annoyed that I had to resort to using the wrong number and hadn't realised how frustrateing it had all been until I spoke to a person and they wanted to cut me off.
It's an apsolute shambles and someone should be called up on it.
I'm sure there are people out there who are in worse situations than we were and although it really angers me to have to side sweep the correct procedure just thankful I found the number on this site as I don't know how much longer we could make ends meet.

joanne_d_3

rai78 wrote: »

I rang the 0845 3003600 number and the first thing she asked was where I was calling from. After saying Scotland she told me she couldn't deal with me and to ring the other number at which point I burst into tears. I explained (amoung sobs) that I'd been calling for over three weeks with over 50 calls ( I have the phone statment to prove it) and that they had my wages estimated to high. This was effecting other benefits and I was desperate.
I'm so annoyed that I had to resort to using the wrong number and hadn't realised how frustrateing it had all been until I spoke to a person and they wanted to cut me off.
It's an apsolute shambles and someone should be called up on it.
I'm sure there are people out there who are in worse situations than we were and although it really angers me to have to side sweep the correct procedure just thankful I found the number on this site as I don't know how much longer we could make ends meet.

Did the advisor deal with your call after they became aware that you were distressed ?

baybeebug

I'm still waiting for them to sort out my claim after they stopped payments due to change of circumsatnces that was over 5 weeks ago now and I can't get through to them to find out when it will be sorted!!
I've had to pay for all my childcare over the summer (that is one of the changes as never claimed for it before) and now into after school charges and I'm getting crippled by them. I've worked out I'm due over £400 now and now end in sight of when I'll see the money.
Can't even afford to go shopping now. :mad:

Lip_Stick

I rang the normal helpline number and got a recorded message saying that all the lines were busy, and I should call at a less busy time. Then I got hung up on.

I then dialed 0845 300 3600. It rang about twice. A lady picked up the phone. She asked no questions about where I was calling from, just the usual security questions. Then my matter was dealt with. Took less than 5 mins.

Obviously not all departments are busy!

Prolaser2

I know its a nightmare. Logically though, if you ring at 8am to 9am on Sunday morning I reckon you will get through. They open SEVEN days a week. Worth a go......:j

Mythi

Prolaser2 wrote: »

I know its a nightmare. Logically though, if you ring at 8am to 9am on Sunday morning I reckon you will get through. They open SEVEN days a week. Worth a go......:j

Sadly this doesn't work though. I've been trying to get through to them since last Tuesday to report that I am no longer working due to being made redundant. I have called them over and over and over again, including ringing every 5 minutes from 8am to 9am on Sunday morning and I still havent managed to get through.

I've resorted to writing to them about my change in circumstances...

mimsly

This number really does work, I got straight through after weeks of trying. Did get the rather strange questions too, where they ask you questions about information logged with Experian. I don't mind this at all as long as it tightens security.

stressed18 wrote: »

Just called the alternative number 01355 359007 and got through after only being on hold for about 3 minutes. Hooray!!!!! They also dealt with my change of circumstances straight away,

They did ask some bizarre security questions though. Apparently for future security checks. Does this sound right?