Child tax credit helpline is useless!

[JanColqu]

Hello everyone,
I've just joined Mumsnet as I wanted to see if anyone else was having as much trouble as me trying to apply for child tax credits. All I want is an application form and they just put me on hold for hours or tell me they are too busy to take my call. I have been trying for 2 weeks, several times a day and am getting nowhere, and rather stressed out.If someone could suggest any easier way of doing this, or any other helpful advice, I'd be really grateful.
Cheers,
Jan

When are you calling them? Is it actually hours or just feel like it?

Try 10-11am weekdays. I phone then and usually get through quite quickly. Or go to the job centre/ government office local to you and they normally have a number where you can get straight through.

certain times of day are a nightmare i find going through wrong department and having them transfer me works a treat

i usually find around 10 or 11 best time to call and usually have to redial good few times first normally through within 20 mins

You've been left on hold for several hours???

I normally call at about 6, I've never had a problem getting through and find the staff very helpful.

I also have been trying for the last two weeks, I haven't even got through to anybody yet - I keep being told that I "may call back later" - having been sat listening to blurb telling me how I can look for information online...

It really is quite frustrating.

Try 01355 359 007.

Bloody useless. They must know that they fuck up with renewals every year, so many people are always on here with mistakes and stressing because they are left with no money and no way of being able to speak to someone to get them to sort it out. Surely they have figured out that they might need to offer out some overtime to get a few morecall handlers on the phones int he period leading up to and directly after the renewal time.

Hope you have got through now if not try asking your local jobcentre or find a local inland revenue enquiry office.

I just dont understand why they dont put claim forms in the bounty packs like they do with child benefit.

Thanks everyone :) we did eventually get through! It's no exageration, I was on hold for 2 hours plus!! They were helpful when I finally got through to them though. I just find it surprising that it should be this difficult?! Putting the forms in the bounty pack would make life a million times easier!!

JanCloqu. If you have chance drop your MP an email about this. It really does need sorting.

Select a different option, i kept getting cut off all hours of the day for 3weeks the i selected different options and got thru straight away

I've been having the same trouble too. Been trying for a week. Just about to select another option and see where it gets me. It's a shambles.

In case anyone else has this problem, you can report a change of circumstances (which is what I'm trying to do) by post.Here's the link

01355 359 007 Try this number I got through within 2 minutes

OMG! Miraculous! Got straight through. Thanks, soremummy.

I tried 12 times over two different days before I even got as far as being put on hold. Had to go through all their stupid info about 'there's lots of stuff on our website' and 'press 1 for this, 2 for that etc. etc.' before getting told 'all our advisors are busy, please call back'.

Then when I did get put on hold, I was there for 30 sodding minutes.

Glad to have helped. Have you tried that number edam

I've been trying, and failing to get through to them for ages, at lots of different times of day.

The really annoying thing is how many buttons you have to press, and stuff you have to listen to before they tell you actually they're too busy to deal with you! Very frustrating!

Then, when I called 01355 359 007 I got through straight away, it definitely works.

sore, ironically I had finally got through to them just before spotting this thread!