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!

It's really not user friendly. Do you have a gateway ID?

Worked only once for me. Not work the last year or two I tried.

Annoying

I don't understand. You register and they post you an ID and then you log on. Has it changed since Then?

So frustrating to set up-it took me many attempt. Pleased to say once it is set up it seems fine. I would call again as I found them very helpful so it may have just been who you spoke to. Alternatively try in 24hrs as the site seems prone to crashing.

It's not easy to use. Don't give up. Call back and say you aren't getting off the phone until they help you. Good luck!

The site does seem to process 400% slower than anywhere else so maybe give it another go tomorrow or Tuesday.

I’ve ended up with two accounts. The whole system is a joke.

You need a gateway ID number - do you have that, OP?

It's a bit shit. We had to help elderly relatives use it for their pensions. They are not at all savvy with a computer. It is very confusing.

Alcohol is required...

It's intensely frustrating. I had to use it recently to help DH with his tax return (he's rubbish with computers). I don't know how something so integral can be so utterly, utterly shit. If a private company had that sort of confusing and non-sensical interface, they'd go bust.

SORT IT OUT GOVERNMENT

(I feel your pain OP)

Are u using a laptop or pc. HMRC really does not like mobiles

Are you allowing cookies?

Agree it is frustrating

Try a different browser, if you haven’t already e.g. Firefox/Chrome/Safari

Alcohol is definitely required but don't stop phoning them - some of them are really helpful

Didn't have any problems myself used it yesterday. You definitely need an ID number. They also then send an access code to your phone.

Not sure about the childcare bit, but the tax bit kicks you out for 24 hrs after a certain number of fails....

Copious alcohol and swearing is the only way.

I am a regular user of it as I use one of its parts.
It is not user friendly and is slow.
You need your gateways code and password. If you have Firefox and such it can cause a problem.
You do need a lot of patience.

You need a government gateway Id and password, then it's straightforward. I use it monthly for work

With great difficulty, mostly.

Call back and see if you get a competent person who can actually help. That's the best tack when the first person is useless/deliberately unhelpful.

I have an ID no. I'm at the bit where I'm signing up. It doesn't recognise me as a person when I type in my NI and DOB. Basically I don't exist

Have you tried NI no with and without spaces? I agree the Gateway is bloody shocking.

Clear your browser's cache
Try a different browser, anything but internet explorer as it's shite

The person at the call centre most likely can't see an issue at all. I've spoken to so many customers who say there is a problem. I tell them to clear their cache or try another browser. What do you know .... Problem gone.

It's a giant bag of wank. In a bad way.
It did that to me and then I tried again in a few days it was fine. Someone must have turned it off and on again.
I'd try phoning again and seeing if you can get hold of someone with a clue.