Benefit Hints and Tips

Claiming benefits or trying to claim benefits can often be very frustrating and annoying as you find hindrances put in your way. Below are a couple hint and tips which hopefully save you time and frustration. We will add to this page as we find out more information.

1: The Crisis Line Telephone Call

Any one who has had to apply for a crisis loan over the phone will know that you get an automated system to start , you listen for 30 seconds are told to press a key, listen for another 30 seconds, press another key, listen for another 30 seconds, press another key only to be told all operators are busy and to try later. Now here's a quick tip ,once your call is answered by the automated service just press 1 1 2 on your keypad this will skip you through the automated bit.

2 Tax Credits Stopped

There are several horror stories of people having their tax credits stopped, without warning, it usually happens at this time of year because they allegedly did not send the forms back, or did not complete the full information. If this happens to you contact the tax credit office immediately, most issues can be rectified over the phone, however it will still take up to 6 days to reinstate your money. Your first thought will probably be a crisis loan to tied you over until your tax credits are resolved. How ever before you waste your time on the phone to the crisis loan, you have to try your tax office first. You will go through all the drama of the crisis loan phone call only to be told it is not there responsibility it is the tax offices. Go to the tax office first , explain the situation, they may issue you a cash able giro, if not then go to the crisis loan.

3. Always fill in the application

I have lost count of the times I have spoken to people who were told they were not entitled to something. Let me tell you something, if you don't apply for it, you don't know if your not entitled to it. Never take the person at the job centres word for it, they are not specialists on all benefits, they don't know all your circumstances, so apply, you never know you may just get a little more.