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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that it is ridiculous to have to waste 3 days of my life for tax credits!!!

44 replies

afromom · 31/07/2013 20:22

I have made literally 100 calls over the last 3 days to the tax credits helpline to make my renewal for tax credits! I get a very measly amount, hardly worth it really!
Each time I call I am on the phone for 6 minutes going through numerous "press 1 for this" , "press 2 for that" only to be told that "we are sorry but we can not take your call right now, please try later!"
I realise that there has been a long time to do this, but I started a new job this month, following a month of being redundant and I only received the paperwork and figures I needed for the claim on Friday.
AIBU to think that they should have some sort of waiting/queuing system rather than just hanging up!

OP posts:
NishiNoUsagi · 31/07/2013 20:27

Poor you, that would have sent me round the bend! Left mine late for similar reasons and a slightly daft week where I thought we were still in June but got through about the 4th time, luckily. Made me do horrible swears at the phone that they sent me through the whole menu before hanging up. Either stick me in a mile long queue, or say straight away there's no point.

They're open till 10pm tonight I think, hope you get through soon!

(also, have you tried "accidentally" going through to another dept and seeing if you can get transferred?)

ruddynorah · 31/07/2013 20:29

Just post it.

Amaris · 31/07/2013 20:32

I had to phone about a change of circs, and it took me ages and many calls to get through, but what was more annoying than the message saying call back later after 4 minutes of the same bloody recorded message over and over again, was the one that said "For enquiries about Tax Credits, please call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0345 300 3900" - er, that would be the number I did actually call four minutes ago - what is that about? I know there are lots of people needing to call at the moment, but why don't they anticipate that and put more people on?

Original poster
afromom · 31/07/2013 20:33

I did post it eventually today but I was panicking as it won't get there on time. Hopefully it will be ok. I will maybe give up tonight and try again in the morning. I do have to speak to someone eventually, as although the renewal for last years salary has gone on the form, there is no way to let them know the changes, which will change my claim quite a bit as I no longer need the childcare element. I really don't want to owe anything! Wish I'd never applied in the first place, I tried to opt out last year when I realised how little it was and was told that wasn't an option and you need to claim what you are entitled to!!!???

OP posts:
maddening · 31/07/2013 20:34

Do they have an email address - could you email for a call back?

ThisWayForCrazy · 31/07/2013 20:35

You will have had a few months to call or send the form back!

Original poster
afromom · 31/07/2013 20:35

I tried that trick Nishi (thinking I was very cunning). I hit the same reply! Hmm

OP posts:
MadeOfStarDust · 31/07/2013 20:35

I had a dispute with them over £230.... it took 3 years and a total of 26 hours on the phone with them (which they reimbursed me for eventually) so sometimes it feels like a marathon dealing with them....

Original poster
afromom · 31/07/2013 20:36

Got not hit! Although if I had a pair of boxing gloves and a punch bag right now .....Grin

OP posts:
dirtyface · 31/07/2013 20:38

tax credits office are a disgrace

imagine WORKING there

LEMisdisappointed · 31/07/2013 20:38

I phoned them today and got through within ten minutes Grin

stubbornstains · 31/07/2013 20:38

Claiming any kind of benefits or tax credits is essentially a part time job in itself...Hmm

Original poster
afromom · 31/07/2013 20:38

I know thiswayforcrazy but I only got the info last week to send through. Combination of self employment and new job, took a long time to get all the right bits together.

OP posts:
jacks365 · 31/07/2013 20:38

There is a queuing system but it can only take so many any more than that get cut off. It is annoying but since you've done your renewal you can leave it a day or two to ring through the changes. If you are worried about what you will owe just put it to oneside so it's sat there to repay.

WithASpider · 31/07/2013 20:38

Oh, our debacle with them is ongoing too, they're currently claiming they haven't received our renewal (sent in June) and obviously i didn't do it again over the phone two weeks ago either because my work address changed.

I feel your pain, it's so bloody frustrating! Angry

morethanpotatoprints · 31/07/2013 20:39

I have done this for past 3 days as well.
The most annoying thing is they leave you there for 3.5 mins before they tell you they can't take your call "Please call back later".
Anyway, too late now they will stop the payment.
The best one ever is expecting you to remember what bloody coloured envelope your renewal letter came in, back in June. FFS what's that all about.

ihearsounds · 31/07/2013 20:39

Try 0191 206 1385

KirjavaTheCat · 31/07/2013 20:39

Call the international number. Got through straight away this morning, sorted in ten minutes.

Original poster
afromom · 31/07/2013 20:40

LEM you must have a magic phone! What time did you call? ??

OP posts:
eccentrica · 31/07/2013 20:50

I managed to get through to them today but wish I hadn't - they told us we have to repay £650 in overpaid TC from previous years Shock

Not a good day Sad

ThisWayForCrazy · 31/07/2013 20:51

Ah that's a PITA! We had that a few years back.

LEMisdisappointed · 31/07/2013 20:54

It was about half six this evening Grin although i have just realised i forgot to tell them about the income i had from a job that i did before xmas (genuine mistake) I am not about to break my neck to put them straight!!! Disclaimer - DP is self employed so we only have to put in an estimate and have until Jan 14 to give them the actual amount.

Was quite surprised to get through though!

Original poster
afromom · 31/07/2013 20:56

Thanks ihearsounds I am now at least on hold and haven't been cut off yet. Grin

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 31/07/2013 20:56

morethanpotatoprints i did mine a week late a couple of years ago, they didn't stop the claim.

If you have a brown envelope you don't have to phone :) :)

eccentrica · 31/07/2013 20:58

ThisWay I know Sad what makes me angry is why did they give it to us in the first place? Would much rather have got by without, than to be hit with this now. We have another baby on the way, and work is a bit sparse for me at the mo (I'm self-employed) so it couldn't have come at a worse time really.