Child benefit number...and work focused interview

LL30

Ok, I'm irresponsible, I know, but I've lost my child benefit number. Apparently it was on a letter they sent to me when I very first claimed (I'm hoping I'm not the only bleary eyed, sleep deprived mother who didn't give a stuff for paperwork at the time, plus my lo was in intensive care, so I hope I have an excuse of some kind!) I've applied for the dreaded IS, and they say they need the number...on ringing the helpline, it told me it was on the letter....yes thanks for that, but I don't have the letter...so I emailed them, only for them to send an automated response stating they'd get back to me within 4 weeks :eek: Any ideas on how to access it quicker? And yes, I've learnt my lesson...

Also, the lady said that I'd have a work focused interview on Tuesday with a lone parent advisor, she seemed to think that they would be able to advise me about the issues I've got with child care - Happy days! Anyone had one of these? Are they really going to help me? I've heard such negative things but I'm really hoping they can offer a little guidance and support. Feeling very down in the dumps, I'm applying for jobs, but all the time I keep thinking 'How the bl00dy hell am I going to work if I have no childcare?' The fact that I'm hoping to swan off back to Uni next year doesn't help either - I only need to cover 11 months work before then. 'Single Mother available for work. Thursdays and Fridays 9-5.30. 11 month period only.' Not the best advert is it??

pinkbows22

Hi, I can't help with the work focused interview as my own circumstances are different, but with the child benefit number I, luckily, was able to find an old letter regarding the slight increase from one April I had in with old paperwork. If can find one of these then it should have your number at the top of that. Hth

shortdog

My chilkd benefit number is on my bank statements when I get a payment from them. Also, if you ring them and tell them you need proof of child benefit, they'll send you a letter out which will have the number on it.
I've been for a couple of work focused interviews, but, as my son is disabled, they couldn't do much, but they gave a friend a list of childminders and nurseries and told her to phone them!

LL30

Lol, yes I'm capable of ringing childminders that's not the issue! How it makes me laugh Bet your friend felt the same. It's getting a place, somewhere where she's happy, that's the main issue, and then finding the first month's fees up front :S Apparently child benefit won't send out letters as proof any more - I have a number by the payment on my bank statement, but not sure it's the right one? the lady said it would have letters in it - this one doesn't! How is something so simple so hard? Thanks for your help xx

cosmic-dust

shortdog wrote: »

Also, if you ring them and tell them you need proof of child benefit, they'll send you a letter out which will have the number on it.

HMRC no longer send out duplicate entitlement letters for CB, I phoned on Tuesday.

cosmic-dust

LL30 wrote: »

I have a number by the payment on my bank statement, but not sure it's the right one? the lady said it would have letters in it - this one doesn't!

That's correct your CB number has letters and numbers but your bank account only show the numbers. I would just wait until you go to your WFI.

cosmic-dust

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/start/claiming/find-number.htm
You might be asked for your Child Benefit award notice. If you haven’t got it you can provide other proof instead, for example:

• your latest tax credits award notice, if you’re getting tax credits
• a bank statement showing your Child Benefit going into your account

You won't be able to get written proof from the Child Benefit Office to prove that you're getting Child Benefit. This is because your local authority can accept bank statements or your tax credits award notice.

LL30

Yes, I looked at that - but the lady on the phone was quite adamant that it wasn't proof that I was receiving it that was needed, it was the number! I'll print off my bank statement and take that just in case, thanks x

nannytone_2

going back more than a few years ( my kids are 28 and 31), my child benefit number was actually my NI number. don't know if it's different now.

bobajob_1966

LL30 wrote: »

I keep thinking 'How the bl00dy hell am I going to work if I have no childcare?' The fact that I'm hoping to swan off back to Uni next year doesn't help either - I only need to cover 11 months work before then. 'Single Mother available for work. Thursdays and Fridays 9-5.30. 11 month period only.' Not the best advert is it??

If you can arrange childcare for university, surely you can do the same for work?

LL30

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

If you can arrange childcare for university, surely you can do the same for work?

Oh I wish it was that simple! Yes, Uni is fine - there are places for Sept full time. Currently she has a place on a Thurs and Fri, which she's about to lose if I don't get a job in the next 4 weeks, as I won't be able to fund it. Once that's gone, my only hope is that my friend who is a childminder will have places left, then we have to go through the induction procedure for her to start there...I never knew childcare was such a mind field until i had her! And then I have to find the first months fees up front - for Uni this will be fine, as I'll have a bursary, but if I take a full time job now, that's £700 I have to find upfront....