Unbelievable!!

[titch]

tax credts helpline are aparently busy with renewals so an answering machine told me to call back next bloomin week! Im raging! Ive been ringing up at random times for weeks now. All I want is a **** form to apply. I dont want to visit your sodding website, the website is a useless waste of my time.

I dont need to get any help applying, I just need the form to apply on.

Now its another job Im gonna have to do after the baby is born, just what Ill need!!!

 

[AugustMum]

I was a little worried about this. Renewals are until 31st July and its just going to be crazy! Do you have to ring to get the forms or can you get them from jobcenter plus? Urgh. Yet more forms to fill out.

 

[titch]

The only way to get a form is to ring up and speak to an advisor

Its a stupid system anyway, how much does it cos to pay a call centre full of advisors to take addresses and put forms in the post. Im pretty certain in would be easy to create an online form to request an application pack, then link in to a computer system so the computer just prints the envelopes with the address you put in and stores your info for your claim.

It would mean people can easily get a pack, you wouldnt be employing people in an inefficient call centre, and people could save their phone bills

 

[titch]

on the plus side my rage is bringing my contractions back!

 

[Emmamb]

I had the same problem a few weeks ago,eventually got thru and got put on hold 20 mins!!! I was ringin 4 a new form to tell them my oh had moved back in,did consider not tellin them and seein how quick they would b to start knocking at my door...it's no wonder so many ppl don't declare stuff xx

 

[Me, My Girls & I]

They ask loads of info when you get a claim form sent out to check you're elligable even tho none of it is of any relevance and you have to fill ye exact same stuff out on the form

 

[titch]

why not just let people fill out the form then?! or just put all the info they need on an online form. I know all theyl be doing is sitting in front of a computer asking hte questions and ticking boxes then submitting it at the end.

On the plus side, if I do it when I already have LO I wont have to contact them again to change the info.

 

[Laura_C]

It took me forever to get through to do my renewal, but eventually I bloody did it, although because my husbands last employer was a tit and didnt send on his P45 to his new employer we now have to get a bloody letter from the tax office to confirm his 'actual' pay! We know what his 'actual' pay is you idiots, I have told you on a million occasions!! His P60 looks as though he has only earned half of what is salary is for last year! At least we have until January to get that, but thats when babba is due! Told them I was pregnant with child no.2 but I have to wait until I have had baby and call back with all details argh!!!! Another thing to do with a newborn and toddler in tow!

 

[titch]

I know, I found that ridiculous too, that I have all this free time now, and I could be getting things ready, and yet you cant do anything until after baby is born when there will be a million other things to be doing!

 

[LouLou1986]

wait till you get throught there even worse! i ordered a form to have to ring back after it hadnt come through in two weeks for them to tell me they forgot to order me one!! its a nightmare!!

 

[Tasha89]

I need a form too It's really frustrating! I hate the fact it's an 0845 number too! Robbing gits! Although it's only gonna be busy next week with all the muppets who've forgotten to renew!

 

[titch]

Im trying this again today as renewals should be over and done with by now. Thing is I dont have a landline and 0845 numbers cost a bomb from my mobile. Ive worked out that I need options 4 and then 2 so I dont have to listen to the whole prerecorded thing. Although Im sure theyre trying to keep us on the phone for longer cos it has a prerecorded message saying "please note, if youre phoning for renewals, you need to select option one on the following menu to speak to an advisor" then a standard bit about using your telephone keypad, then "for renewals, press one...." so WHY do we need the intial message, its just to stop us being able to select any options and keep me on the phone as long as possible

Off to try again, tonight in my sleep Im gonna be saying "hello and welcome to HR revenue and customs..."

 

[titch]

OMG Ive discovered another number for the tax credits people........ 01355 359007.

Its the line for people calling from overseas. Its a bit naughty but aparently you get straight through. Some people were posting that theyd been told off, but still had their call handled, and others that they hadnt even checked if they were calling from abroad and just handled their quiery And it would be paid for under my free minutes on my mobile. I HATE that its an 0845 number. Its gonna cost a bloomin bomb when my bill arrives!!

 

[Tasha89]

How're ya getting on Tiny?

0845 numbers cost a bomb from my landline as well as my mobile! I'm just on hold now waiting to be bloody put through for a claims pack for tax credits.

Called for a form earlier to apply for Child Benefit (ANOTHER 0845 number!) and that said after 1 and a half mins, "Sorry, no one is available to take your call, please try again later. Goodbye" Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!! F*cking IDIOTS!!

 

[Tasha89]

I've done it!!!

They're sending me the forms! lol! What a bloody nightmare! After 29 mins on the phone to them it's all sorted!

 

[titch]

I spent about 20 mins on hold to them whilst doing the maths in my head and freaking out about how much it was costing so I hung up. The music was going to give me a nervous breakdown anyway!! You can get the child benefit form online, fill it out online then just print it off and post it. Or you actually get given one in your bounty pack when you have your newborn. I wouldnt bother trying to ring another bloomin 0845 number!!!

OH did it in welsh in the end and you get straight through, no number menu options and the entire call took 5 mins its a worthy investment getting welsh language classes girls!!

 

[kiki]

Have been on hold for 32min and counting... ARGH!!!

 

[titch]

ah its so frustrating isnt it, you know if you hang up youll end up in the queue next time you ring. when i get my phone bill i might write to them to complain at how much ive spent just getting an application pack!