fecking tax credits could tell me they're too busy BEFORE taking loads of details off me

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Tax credits helpline automated thingy told me loads of info, then asked me for:

• NI number
• why I'm calling
• my name
• name on bill
• postcode
• youngest child's birthdate

and probably other stuff I forgot.

But only after all this, told me they're too busy to answer the call and the bloody machine hung up on me.

It took ages too as it's done by voice but kids kept making noise and confusing the computer.

AIBU to think they could just feckin tell me upfront if they're too busy! What a waste of time.

Wankers.

The most annoying thing is at the end of all that they say "we're just transferring you to someone in our team. You may be asked extra security questions." so I perk up, thinking I might get to speak to a humnan, but then it says something like "We're very busy helping other people. You may find what you need online. We're sorry we culdn't help you. Please call back another time" and then it hangs up.

SO annoying!

Does anyone know when they're least busy? I've been trying to get through to them for a couple of weeks now.

I must have heard their "fuck you" message at least 10 times.

I spent 35 minutes on hold before being cut off this afternoon!

They've been on strike today, the offices are closed. I tried three times. I hear they could be closed Monday too.

I used 01355 359007 and got through quite easily, but I think it only works from a mobile

Oh FFS. I've got nothing against them striking but why make me answer all those questions if no one's going to answer?

FWIW I got the same thing the last few times I called as well (last week).

I got through on Wednesday - after a 25 minute wait though. I don't think there is a quiet time OP.

crazynanny I'll try that tomorrow thanks :)

A 25 minute wait is better than not at all!

I need to tell them about a new job and new childminder. If I don't get the childcare element of tax credits sorted, come the summer holidays I will be paying to go to work (in school holidays the childminder costs £1.50 an hour more than I'm actually being paid!)

Thanks for posting that number crazynanna, I'll try that Monday

Calling at school run times (not possible for lots of people I know) are quieter. I called yesterday and was less than 15mins start to finish. Luckily DH was picking DS up otherwise it would have been a lot longer.

YANBU.

It took a total of 22 minutes of that rigmarole (getting cut off 5 times) before I even got into a queue, when I needed to phone them the other week.

Then I finally got my 20 minutes in the queue before everything in the call was dealt with in 8 minutes.

I had one small change to make that could only be done by ringing them up. Bloody ridiculous. If I hadn't got through that last time, i would have been writing in and reminding them of their charter. I only did get through because DH was working from home, so I could try at 8am, while he dealt with the school run.

Lines are open Saturday 8am -4pm also, try first thing if possible

You are very welcome. I was trying the regular number and getting absolutely nowhere ( dreading next months bill), and then a lovely MNetter posted that number on another thread and I was through after not even 2 minutes in a queue.

crazynanne and thecircle, thanks :)

I called first thing this morning, using crazynanna's magic number and got straight through, no queue, brilliant.

Well done

I used to have to ring them a lot. I found 8am was good, followed by tea-time (say 5.30 - 6.00)