Tax credit helpline is a complete joke!!

patchman

Been trying to get through for days to notify a change of circumstances - after press 1 for this then press 2 for that I'm eventualy told an advisor will answer soon, whilst waiting I'm told to make sure I have all changes ready at hand, yes got them ready, then told to have NI number ready, yes got that, then told not to tell any fibs or I could get my wrists slapped, no won't do that so thats ok, then told that the call could be recorder for 'training' or monitoring purposes, yes thats ok, then I'm told there's no one to take my call and to 'call back at another time' !! why couldn't it just tell me that right at the start!! what a complete farce..!!!!:mad::mad:

PippaGirl_2

I totally agree. It's abysmal that the only number available is an 0845 when so many people only have a PAYg mobile and that costs a fortune and the queue is so long. I really need to phone them but I can't afford it. I think Government organisations SHOULD provide an alternative geographical number as well as a non-geographical number.

System

If you have an HMRC enquiry centre near you go to it and use their free phones. They have direct lines through to the Tax Credit Office.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/enq/


Tax Credit helpline number is 0345 300 3900

PippaGirl_2

I didn't know that Pam, thanks. I've noted down my nearest one, will try to get there some time soon.

benefitbaby

We should also be flagging this problem up to our local MP's and asking them to push for change.

spikeripley

maybe its just me but I never have a problem getting through to them I always use the 0345 300 3 900 number though, dont know if that makes a difference.

shedboy94

It's not the helpline that's a joke, it's a combination of 2 things - the same people phoning day after day, week after week asking the same things that clog up the lines - "when's my next payment?".....erm, the same day as last week, and the week before, and in fact the 7 years before that....!!!!, and secondly, blame the government for pretty much halving the staff numbers, so there are less staff to answer the phones making it harder to get through.

Dunroamin

PippaGirl wrote: »

I totally agree. It's abysmal that the only number available is an 0845 when so many people only have a PAYg mobile and that costs a fortune and the queue is so long. I really need to phone them but I can't afford it. I think Government organisations SHOULD provide an alternative geographical number as well as a non-geographical number.

I don't really think that it's the government's fault that some people have chosen not to have a land line.