Post by jasonward on Oct 18, 2018 10:36:13 GMT
So yesterday I read that the benefits to me may have been underpaid by £5,000 (looking at the circumstances, there is a very high chance they have) - the DWP will sort it out by December 2020. Then I read, but the terminally ill will be prioritised and get their money first.
Oh, I think, better let the DWP know I'm terminally ill then, see if they owe me, and if I can get the money before I die.
So this morning I Google their number and call the result.
This number has changed, redial XXXXXXX
OK, so I Google again, and in BIG LETTERS with no qualification, the DWP website say phone this new shiney 0800 number we have (same as the announcement).
After navigating though a series of single selection menus I'm told
This number is for new claims only, if you are calling for any other matter we will not be able to help you.
OK, back to Google, dig a big deeper on the same DWP site, find a list of telephone numbers, notice that my benefit is listed twice, but I reckon on calling one over the other, since its in a group with other benefits associated with health, the other group is a associated with getting work. So I call
This number does not support voice calls
OK better call other number
This number has changed, redial YYYYYYYY
OK so I dial this new number, to be greeting by voice robot that wants to know why I'm calling I respond, it replies well I'm glad the bot feels that way about my impending death, but unhelpful. After going round twice more, it offers me numbered options, and when I hear my benefit named I press the button and hear a diatribe about how I can followed by followed by 3 or 4 seconds of music, at which point the diatribe about "online" starts again, follow again by after listening this for 25 minutes, the call is cut off.
I'm dying
Sorry that's not an option
apply online, blah blah blah online, blah blah blah online, online this, online that, online, job centre, online, online more, more online, blah online
Sorry were really busy at the moment, you can call back at another time, or continue to hold
Sorry were really busy at the moment, you can call back at another time, or continue to hold
At this point I'm trying very hard not to splurge a stream of abuse and swearing.
EDIT: Note for people not in the UK, the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) are the government department responsible for benefit payments throughout the UK, they also run "job centres" which used to be places to find employment (hence the name), but these days seem to be more about enforcement of benefit rules and used as places to summon people to with the threat of stooping paying benefits if you don't attend at the right time and place.
