Tax Credits help line - Alternative number is ...

joanne_d_3

flutterby_lil wrote: »

I had to try about three times, but got through and renewed over the phone. Shame you can't send a letter in for a change of circs, unless you do that and explain you cannot get through, at least you are notifying them.

I used to work for the DWP, and worked in the change of circs dept, we always dealth with thing by letter.

Maybe worth a try.

Good luck. F_L

Sorry to disagree but just wanted to inform people that you CAN infact notify Tax Credits of a change of circumstances via letter.

Infact , this past tax year has been a nightmare for our family as in my husband lost his job so we had to change circs , my daughter was awarded dla so we had to change again , then my husband got a new job so another change and then my daughter got a place in college so we had to inform that she would be remaining in eductaion.

ALL of this was done by way of letter and all circumstance changes were dealt with swiftly and efficiently by the tax credit people.

In fact , i cannot commend them enough for their work , they deserve a medal considering the extra work i have given them this past 12 months lol

So well done evryone in tax crdit offices , everyone is quick to "moan" about them but how many actually praise them when they do their job well ?

copier_guy

Took me ages to get through this week.

Ended up coming home from work and calling them at about 11 o clock

Numberlock

There's no way we should have to pay the extortionate rates of 0845 tel nos when we are trying to tell them of change of circumstances. It should be freefone 0800.

When my circumstances changed last year I wrote to them. Got a letter back telling me to phone them on the 0845 no!!! What sort of revenue is HMRC receiving from all these calls?

joanne_d_3

Fitzio wrote: »

I have been trying to get through for a few days now too - need to inform of a change of circumstances. It's only the second time I have had to call them and I am very surprised at how bad it is. I held on for 40 mins yesterday during the time that their website says is their quieter time usually. Held for another 20 mins today.

I am phoning the 0845 number which is annoying me. When I looked at Saynoto0870, there was a discussion about them not taking your call if you phone on the international number and being really rude. Has anyone experienced this?

I rung up to renew and use the number 01355359007 . There was no being placed on hold at all , the call was answered straight away and the advisor was a lovely lady . My renewal was sorted within 6 days with a lump sum payment into my bank account within those 6 days.

I have passed this number to other friends who have also used it to renew without hassle.

Seems to me though that it all depends on which advisor picks up the phone . But hey ...give it a try

Telfordstar

joanne_d wrote: »

I rung up to renew and use the number 01355359007 . There was no being placed on hold at all , the call was answered straight away and the advisor was a lovely lady . My renewal was sorted within 6 days with a lump sum payment into my bank account within those 6 days.

I have passed this number to other friends who have also used it to renew without hassle.

Seems to me though that it all depends on which advisor picks up the phone . But hey ...give it a try

I tried this number and got straight through only to be told its for international calls and for me to call the 0845 number!!

joanne_d_3

Telfordstar wrote: »

I tried this number and got straight through only to be told its for international calls and for me to call the 0845 number!!

hi , as i said in my post , it must just depend on which operator answers your call.
I used the number without any hassle as have a lot of my friends and work friends.

Try again , maybe you will get a nicer operator lol

Telfordstar

joanne_d wrote: »

hi , as i said in my post , it must just depend on which operator answers your call.
I used the number without any hassle as have a lot of my friends and work friends.

Try again , maybe you will get a nicer operator lol

Lol I musto got a right grumpy one that time, just tried again and wo behold got through and my question answered spot on! Cheers x

System

TaxCreditHelp wrote: »

The Tax Credit Helpline is incredibly busy now due to this being the peak renewals period, as mentined above. All Tax Credit customers have until 31st July to renew and telephone is the most popular way of doing this. So it will be pretty busy for at least the next month.

The enquiry centres do have freephones you can use if you wish, and depending on the change of circumstance they may be able to make the change for you there and then.

Not without an appointment they won't. Take 2 forms of ID (photographic and name and address) just incase they can fit you in on that day but they are pretty busy too with Tax credit renewals, PAYE coding enquiries and refund claims and Self-assessment tax returns.

Details of your local HMRC enquiry centre can be found online at the official HMRC website, or in your local telephone directory.

The enquiry centre freephones are priority lines and you will get through to TCO quickly.

BTW we usually advise claimants to try to call from home at a time when the soaps Corrie, Emmerdale etc) are on as we've been told it's easier to get through then. I don't know if that's true or not.

sunnyone

I dont claim tax credits and I cant understand why you dont just fill in the form and post it off when you get it, why bother with the phone lines whan you know they are incredibly busy thus wasting your own time.

milliebear00001

Still haven't got through! Will give the international number a try. What galls me through, is that they are charging by using an 0945 number - and keeping people endlessly on hold (when you don't just get cut-off after a lengthy 'push-button' exercise first. It is just a shocking example of the worst sort of customer service. They get away with because we are forced to deal with them in this way. Very, very wrong.

I am not confident a letter would be dealt with. Last time I wrote to them (a few years ago) it was completely ignored.