How the f do I use government gateway?

[OoohMasala]

When it doesn't recognise my details. It's for tax free childcare. The bloke on the phone was useless and told me to keep trying. He said am I entering the details correctly (fairly sure I know my own name and DOB/NI). Ive done it 20 times. Not working. He said there's not much he can do!!! So am I just not entitled to tax free childcare then? Really frustrated and stressed. Help!

When I first signed up to government gateway, there was a horrid registration process. I had to go though an ID verification stage. After this, they posted me a letter with a username that was a long random combination of letters/numbers. I still have to use that long username to log on every time. Last time I did so was only a couple of months ago. Of course the registration process could well have changed totally (my husband registered much later than me, but was still posted a long number username). Apologies if you have, or if it's all changed now, but are you sure you have completed the registration process fully?

Yeah if you've used it before you have a really long code to input first? Maybe call them back if you don't know that in the first instance?

I use the HMRC app. Seems a lot easier to access. I don’t know if it will suit the purposes you need it for but more straightforward to access; think you just set a six digit pin.

To get started you can use your passport, if it’s the most up to date version!

Ah OP, there’s a little trick to using the government gateway.

First, ball your hand into a tight fist
Second, punch yourself in the face as hard as you can, preferably until you’ve knocked out some teeth.

It’s just less painful that way.