Budgeting Loan issue

rich_shot2003

Last Monday i did a online form for a Budgeting loan and was told i would get a answer within a week by email which as i have done these forms online before the 7 days thing is normal.

So on Tuesday i got a email telling that they need more time to deal with it and they will be in touch by email within 21 days.

when i have done them online before its only taken a day or so to get a email back telling me if i can have one or not.

so do they ramdon pick ones out for a DWP staff member to look at and do as it always seem to be done without a real person doing them?

poppy12345

There's backlogs with budgeting loans in some areas and I've heard of some others that have received that text. All you can do is wait. 

Robbie64

I helped someone to do an online Budgeting Loan application last Monday morning. The acknowledgement text was received almost immediately. The offer text with code and link was received on the afternoon and the text to inform that the money would be in the bank 3 days later was received early evening. Last year I helped the same person and the process took over 2 weeks, largely caused by a delay in sending out the text which makes an offer and which includes the code and link. Other times when i've completed an online BL application, the process was usually very quick. I did wonder if the one that took over two weeks, did so because for whatever reason the application was being dealt with manually.

The process for BLs is usually so automated that there's very little intervention needed by a Social Fund Officer.

Perhaps they do check x amount of applications and deal with them manually. Maybe the computer highlights applications that need to be checked manually before an offer is made. The latter would normally be if someone has included details of things like outstanding debts as this information can be used to reduce the amount that has to be paid back each week (although this then does extend the repayment period).

kkkklinky

Some BL claims are randomly selected for manual processing for potential fraud, or an issue such as the wrong NI number being provided and having high debt etc, this is completely normal. This is more common for claims stating they receive Child Benefit etc which they sometimes check with relevant department.

rich_shot2003

Does anyone know if the Social fund number 0800 1690140 has been closed for good?

I am asking as have been trying to call them this morning and get a message saying social fund is now closed.