Tax Credits Helpline, unable to get through!

seamusmiley

seamusmiley wrote: »

Have also had change to circustances that using the website has advised me to call them on the "Help Line", I have been trying for 2 weeks on and off with the usual talk then cut off. Can't call in the day because I work suppose this is now a disadvantage.

HAS ANYONE GOT THROUGH TODAY !!!! I am now on my third hour of trying and lost count of how many attempts?

Got Through and only 2 hours and 25 minutes trying and 25 minutes on the phone, but all resolved. Best of luck to anyone starting out today.

superskintmouse

I have tried three times today with no sucess, i have given up!

jamesw21

Tried every day for 2 weeks. Just got the same message as jenny198619 - Try again later after a 4 1/2 minuite automated messaging system.

I also tried the alternative overseas number posted by indiansummer but that didn't even let me through. Just told me I was phoning from the UK and needed to ring the UK number.

Finally at 11:30 I got through. Job done! Feeling for those that have yet to get through. Keep trying every couple of minuites.

I'm sure this is going to be a news story tomorrow that tops any olympics story. Hoping that the government realises that they have got this wrong and that they will allow some leaway for those that were not able to get through.

I'm one of the "lucky" ones but to those that say it's our fault for not renewing early enough (There will be some), I say "Please remember that for a lot of people needing to renew, the time scales involved in getting finalised accounting information are not always in our control" and when you have been trying for two weeks to get through and failing because you just get a message saying try again later then the fault lies with HMRC and NOT with people renewing too late

bazza5070

indiansummer wrote: »

Yes, I have been trying to get through for weeks, what a nightmare! I didn't just want to post the forms as I had a couple of questions relevant to the renewal, but was forced to post nevertheless as the helpline was always engaged. This morning I was given another number though, this one:
01355359007
and managed to get through straightaway. This number is for people living outside of the UK and not every adviser is prepared to take the call but most of them do and are very helpful. Hope this helps!

Been trying for over a week to get through, tried above number and answered within 3 rings!!! Thankyou..... :beer:

chri1143

Try this number 01355359007 call 141 first to block your number. The number is for people abroad. If they ask say you are on holiday.

indiansummer

Yes, that's the number I used this morning and posted above
01355359007
You don't need to block your own number, someone did and was still asked to reveal their location...Iyes you can say you're on holiday like the poster above suggested, whatever works for you... I personally think there's no need to lie, because most of them are fine. If you speak to someone unwilling to renew your claim just hang up and try again until you come across someone that will help you. I got refused by the first adviser but the second one - Pam or Pat was lovely and renew my claim despite me calling from the local number. Don't get annoyed with those that refuse, no point, they're told to do it, just try again.Same if you hear automated message telling you to ring their main number. Keep trying!
Good luck!

interstellaflyer

Last year, I told them our income as soon as I got my last wage slip of the tax year ie begining of April, the figures I gave them were accurate, not an estimate, so why did they send 3 award notices over 3 weeks, the amount of award reducing in with each award notice, I telephoned them up to query this and was told that the first was an estimate, they had no believable excuse for me receiving 3 surely these days with modern technology, once you give them the figures that should allow them to calculate an accurate set of figures, not an estimate.

electric_comperella

I've been trying the past few days to get through on the helpline number each time receiving a pre-recorded message telling me to call back later.

Finally today I got through pushed button 1 for this button 2 for that, told I would be facing a lengthy wait by the pre-recorded message, listened to a load of ramble about how I could find info online etc.... THEN got told they were too busy to take my call at the moment and promptly disconnected after a 5 minute phone call!!!

To say I'm annoyed is putting it mildly, every call is costing parents money at a time when money is tight enough already - surely it would be better to just have an engaged tone or for the line to just ring and ring until there is someone available to ACTUALLY take your call!!

I'm trying again in a mo, this time with a stopwatch running - will report back.

nswan

Rang using number for people abroad and got straight through. Guy was fine, didn't ask me if I was abroad or anything, just took my details. All done.

Cheers for the tip

starlakid

Oooh, took a while, but I think I was lucky - just got through after about ten tries, five of which sent me through the long winded message. Lady was very nice and helpful though - even good humoured, which I'm not sure I'd be if I were working under that kind of pressure!

Good luck getting through, guys.
:money: