Tax Credits help line - Alternative number is ...

mimsly

This number 01355 359007 does work and you get through straight away. Give it a try but be prepared to answer some strange security questions. This is their new policy but I don't mind if it tightens security and fraud.

Mythi wrote: »

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 gets straight through and whoever answers can deal with any queries on WFTC. They will ask you some unusual security questions so be prepared as they usually relate to your records held with Experian. Good luck all

flopsy_66

thanks mimsly i have been trying to get through to the helpline for 4 weeks now phoning at 8 every morning right through the day to no avail i even wrote a letter of complaint but after trying the number 01355 359007 i got through straight away

bucksliz

I rang this number and got through quickly but the woman asked if I was ringing from outside the UK and when I said no she said I had to ring back on the other number:eek: I told her I'd been ringing it for weeks and my tax credits had gone down by £25 a week because they had assumed my son had left school at sixteen. I got a bit upset actually as it's so frustrating and I can't afford to loose that money. All I wanted to do was tell them my son is staying on in the Sixth Form!! She seemed to take pity on me and took the information but said I was not to use the number in future and there was a note on my account to say I had already been told not to use that number again!!

tommoy

Had been trying for ages to get through on usual number without success,then tried the 01355 number only to be told this was only for use by Dept.of Work and Pensions Offices!Wouldn't help me.Rang the 3600 number and got through almost immediately,no questions asked.Did the same thing last night and was told in no uncertain terms that this number was for overseas only.
Anyway,thanks for the help,it has saved me hours of frustration and allowed my blood pressure to return to almost normal!!

Young_Wolvers

I just called on 0845 300 3600 and got straight through. I only needed a claim form sending out so I've been getting really annoyed with the other number being busy all the time.

sueinblack

This seems to happen around this time every year....As a loan parent of 3 and my eldest turned 18yrs in June and is still in full time education (Just started level 3 nail technology) ....Basicly I think its a combination of last min changes or renewals but in my opinion the main reason for phone lines constantly jammed on both Tax Credits and Child Benefit is the fact some children go onto higher education and both of these want to know the start date, leaving date and the name of the course the said dependant is taking....But each yr I always seem to be waiting for my daughters chosencollege to tell her the relevent info and they never seem to inform her of this until middle to late August....Then all hell breaks loose with the phone lines being jammed.

I managed to get through to child benefit last week but unfortunately when Tuesday came this week
(7th Sept) I didnt recieve the amount I should have instead of payment for 3 children it was for 2!!!!

And just to make my circumstances worse this yr I not only had to inform them of dates etc... I also started a new job on Monday (6th) and Income Support have ceased paying me (I recieved a final payment in a giro cheque) So in effect I had to inform them of 2 circumstance changes .....You would think seen as this happens every yr they would be prepared for the influx of calls...BUT NO ITS HAPPENED AGAIN grrrrrrr....

I wonder if you could claim back the money for constantly trying to ring only to be told right at the end (after going through all the options) ..."Sorry all our lines are busy" I think these type of automated services should be illegal, Im dreading my landline bill now with all the calls ive made in the attempt to get through......

Does anyone else agree who has had to make the same call each yr regarding further education?

Right rant over lol sorry for my essay and possible mis-spellings...Im just so frustrated with it all again!!!

Monkeylady_2

Oh I'm so glad I came here just to see that I'm not the only one not getting through! I've been trying to phone them for the last month to tell them that I've got a job after being made redundant and our childcare costs have dramatically increased but I just can't get through at all. I've tried calling at every time I can think of, including 8:01 on a Sunday morning but it's costing me a fortune just to hear that smug wench remind me that I need my NI number and if I'm really sure I want to speak to someone I should make sure I have my NI number, really sure now... I'll put you though - sorry all our operators are busy, perhaps you'd like to call us another time. :mad: I have written to them but I don't know how long it's going to take them to deal with it and I really need that money otherwise I may as well quit my job.

I just don't understand why it's so busy now, I've never had any problems getting through in the past. Is it just because of the end/beginning of the school year??

ANY_CHANCE

I have had exactly the same problem simply to tell them my 16 year is returning to sixth form. I rang them back in July and couldn't get through then and still cannot get through now. So i have written a letter.

However my payments have been reduced and it is very difficult to pay essential bills on the reduced payments

sandra68

I had problems when they first fetched in child tax credit because my ex claimed the money the first year and when i rang up they said if he will pay me half cash leave it has it is its easier, the next year he phoned said he didnt want it i could claim it, the kids live half week with me half with him. Eventually someone on the phone told me to go into the tax office and they sorted out payments by cheque immediately, however when my new child was born i had problems adding her on and had to officially complain before it was sorted out, i got a payment in the post straight away and the paperwork, which i did not quite understand but now 5years on they say they have overpaid me over £8000. I do think going into the tax office gets the best results though. I have had my money stopped for my 16yrs old but yesterday the money was in but less than one weeks money used to be and no repayment but better than nothing