SAYNOTO0870.COM - JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries

gavstars Newbie Offline Posts: 7	JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 12:11pm It makes me laugh that people who have to sign on with the Job Centre Plus have to ring a 0845 number! Its obvious that money is tight and ringing their lines cost a fortune. Has anyone got an alternative to the 0845 608 8506 line provided by Job Centre Plus?
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sherbert Supreme Member Offline Posts: 2,011 Gender:	Re: Job Centre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #1 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 12:24pm Calls to an 0845 number from a BT landline are Pence per minute Daytime: 1.96 Evenings: 0.49 Plus 6.85p call set-up fee and to an 0870 number Pence per minute Daytime: 5.87 Evenings: 1.47 Plus 6.85p call set-up fee Probably not as much as you think?
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gavstars

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Re: Job Centre Plus Benefit Enquiries
Reply #2 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 12:32pm

Thank you for your info, but its not as good as calling for free. I get inclusive minutes on my mobile and free calls to 01 02 numbers from my landline. Plus when you call Job Centre Plus, you go through the push button options only to be told that they are busy and call back later. So each time you call, you get charged that 6p connection fee.

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sherbert Supreme Member Offline Posts: 2,011 Gender:	Re: Job Centre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #3 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 1:38pm If you need to make a claim for benefit the number is 0800 055 6688
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smithysaver Newbie Offline Posts: 5	Re: Job Centre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #4 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 1:54pm Try 01332 243800
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gavstars Newbie Offline Posts: 7	Re: Job Centre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #5 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 1:59pm Yes I am aware of that thank you sherbert. Thank you Smithysaver, I will give that one a try.
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Dave

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Re: Job Centre Plus Benefit Enquiries
Reply #6 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 2:49pm

gavstars wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 1:59pm:

Yes I am aware of that thank you sherbert.

If you are aware of the 0800 number, then why don't you use it? Huh

This topic is the source of much debate elsewhere on the forum. Those calling JobSeeker Direct and other DWP 0845 helplines are providing funding for those helplines which are on 0800 "freephone" numbers. This happens regardless of whether the 0800 call is free or not, as is the case from mobiles.

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« Last Edit: Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 2:50pm by Dave »

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gavstars

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Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries
Reply #7 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:04pm

The 0800 number is only for New claims only and they will not speak to you for any other enquiries. The local JCP centres also can not deal with claim enquiries and they also refer to the 0845 number. I wouldn't mind so much if you could actually get put in a waiting cue or speak to someone, but as I've mentioned, after a few minute call, you can get an automated message saying all staff are busy so call back later and then cut you off. It is a very frustrating telephone system and for people who are struggling to make ends meet, I think it is a liberty to charge the 0845 rates. Just my opinion......

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Dave Global Moderator Offline Posts: 9,902 Yorkshire Gender:	Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #8 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:07pm gavstars wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:04pm: ... I think it is a liberty to charge the 0845 rates. Just my opinion...... Who is your MP? Write to them.
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gavstars Newbie Offline Posts: 7	Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #9 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:14pm I am sorry. I was on the understanding that this site was here to help people find alternative numbers for 0845 and 0870 numbers to help people save money! Not brow beat them when contributing on the forum....
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Dave

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Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries
Reply #10 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:17pm

gavstars wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:14pm:

I am sorry. I was on the understanding that this site was here to help people find alternative numbers for 0845 and 0870 numbers to help people save money! Not brow beat them when contributing on the forum....

I am merely suggesting that you might like to write to your MP about this as that is the only way it will be irradicated.

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gavstars Newbie Offline Posts: 7	Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #11 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:23pm My apologies I took it in the wrong context. I thought you was using sarcasm to mock me. Maybe I'll do that and see what happens.
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sherbert

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Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries
Reply #12 - Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:26pm

gavstars wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 3:14pm:

I am sorry. I was on the understanding that this site was here to help people find alternative numbers for 0845 and 0870 numbers to help people save money! Not brow beat them when contributing on the forum....

Erm, Smithysaver and I did give you alternative numbers and Dave gave you some advice, what more do you want? Remember people who look for numbers and give advice do it freely and in their own time. Angry

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JonCooper

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Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries
Reply #13 - Dec 30^th, 2008 at 3:43pm

sorry, but, to an impartial witness wandering by, Smithysaver was the only one to actually help Tongue

the 0800 number is useless unles it's a new claim
and suggesting someone write to their MP when they express an opinion isn't much help either

I know you guys do this in your own time for little thanks, but the tone in a few threads has surprised me today
(stuff like "read the rules" - as the whole reply - very terse)

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sherbert Supreme Member Offline Posts: 2,011 Gender:	Re: JobCentre Plus Benefit Enquiries Reply #14 - Dec 30^th, 2008 at 4:28pm I think you will find that by 'reading the rules' http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1107463510 means what it says, i.e. check the database, google first before putting in a request. Many do not bother and the answer could be there.
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