Hi, 

Ive seen a lot of posts saying how difficult it can be to get through to the UK call centre. but fortunately  that was not the case for me.

Calling from Thailand i used True move , put their 006 code in front of the number  pressed option 1 to claim, and within 5 seconds i was talking to a very polite bloke.

Few security questions, past addresses,  employment etc  and then on to the claim.  15 mins later all done.  Phone call cost  2 quid.

Ihad all the forms ready to post so glad i gave the phone a try.

Hope its as easy for you when you put in a claim.

 

Well done!  I imagine your experience is normal.  On here there are many people that are incapable of anything.

11 hours ago, CFCjeff said:

Hi, 

Ive seen a lot of posts saying how difficult it can be to get through to the UK call centre. but fortunately  that was not the case for me.

Calling from Thailand i used True move , put their 006 code in front of the number  pressed option 1 to claim, and within 5 seconds i was talking to a very polite bloke.

Few security questions, past addresses,  employment etc  and then on to the claim.  15 mins later all done.  Phone call cost  2 quid.

Ihad all the forms ready to post so glad i gave the phone a try.

Hope its as easy for you when you put in a claim.

Very helpful information thank you. Alternatively, a Skype monthly subscription for unlimited landline calls to UK costs 1.70 GBP. Free trial for one month. The downside is that you don't have a number therefore they can't call you back. 

MY TELLO.

 

 

 

 

https://www.mytello.com/en_TH/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8h_pEt-yPbT8w4Rf-9wm4Dj6jh7ujwSXYEiK7kthzOkvSdfrT6tTHxoC-8cQAvD_BwE 

11 hours ago, CFCjeff said:

Hi, 

Ive seen a lot of posts saying how difficult it can be to get through to the UK call centre. but fortunately  that was not the case for me.

Calling from Thailand i used True move , put their 006 code in front of the number  pressed option 1 to claim, and within 5 seconds i was talking to a very polite bloke.

Few security questions, past addresses,  employment etc  and then on to the claim.  15 mins later all done.  Phone call cost  2 quid.

Ihad all the forms ready to post so glad i gave the phone a try.

Hope its as easy for you when you put in a claim.

 

The 006 prefix for True is this for the cheap rate calls to mobile and landlines in the UK?

 

3 hours ago, roo860 said:

The 006 prefix for True is this for the cheap rate calls to mobile and landlines in the UK?

 

yes landline and mobile.

I've been trying for months to get through to HMRC regarding backdating my NI contributions, I keep giving up after about 50 minutes waiting.

Maybe claims is a different department ?

3 hours ago, scotty1286 said:

I've been trying for months to get through to HMRC regarding backdating my NI contributions, I keep giving up after about 50 minutes waiting.

Maybe claims is a different department ?

 

You can make enquiries online as well 

 

https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/contact-the-international-pension-centre/contact-form

3 hours ago, RayC said:

 

You can make enquiries online as well 

 

https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/contact-the-international-pension-centre/contact-form

Thanks, I have sent them a message, they said up to 10 days for a reply, fingers crossed.

1 hour ago, scotty1286 said:

Thanks, I have sent them a message, they said up to 10 days for a reply, fingers crossed.

 

Hope that you get things sorted out. 

 

If you have not already done so, can I suggest that you download the HMRC app. It's available on Google Play (and presumably from the Apple store?). Once the app is up and running, details about your tax payments, pension contributions, etc can be viewed there.

 

For information, once DWP/ HMRC have confirmed the reference you need to use in order to make voluntary contributions, you can use the same reference in the future. No need to contact them every time.

On 9/9/2024 at 7:35 PM, CFCjeff said:

and within 5 seconds

Was this the Future Pension Centre - the number for calling from abroad?

If so you were very fortunate as I had to wait 25 minutes to get through but possibly I chose different options.

 

6 hours ago, RayC said:

 

You can make enquiries online as well 

 

https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/contact-the-international-pension-centre/contact-form

 I sent them a query on 6th August........still not seen a reply 

18 hours ago, scotty1286 said:

I've been trying for months to get through to HMRC regarding backdating my NI contributions, I keep giving up after about 50 minutes waiting.

Maybe claims is a different department ?

HMRC have a webchat service which is very good. I have used it a couple of times to get my tax codes corrected in real-time while I am chatting to them. 

Use the link below during UK working hours. Initially, you will be connected to a digital assistant. Ask if you can speak to a human. There may be a wait, but at least it's free and you won't be cut off whilst waiting. You can also save the chat as your record of the "conversation".

 

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/ask-hmrc/chat/online-services-helpdesk

7 hours ago, Mutt Daeng said:

HMRC have a webchat service which is very good. I have used it a couple of times to get my tax codes corrected in real-time while I am chatting to them. 

Use the link below during UK working hours. Initially, you will be connected to a digital assistant. Ask if you can speak to a human. There may be a wait, but at least it's free and you won't be cut off whilst waiting. You can also save the chat as your record of the "conversation".

 

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/ask-hmrc/chat/online-services-helpdesk

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Do you know if this link is for tax and NI or only tax related issues ?

2 hours ago, scotty1286 said:

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Do you know if this link is for tax and NI or only tax related issues ?

I just asked the bot, it replied;

 

You have a National Insurance (NI) number so we can record your contributions in your name. It’s made up of letters and numbers and never changes.

What can we help you with?

• Find my National Insurance number
• Apply for a National Insurance number
• I'm 16 and haven't got my NI number
• I've got a problem with having 2 NI numbers
• Someone is using my NI number

6 hours ago, scotty1286 said:

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Do you know if this link is for tax and NI or only tax related issues ?

AFAIK its for anything relating to HMRC.

Use Skype. It costs peanuts!!

On 11/13/2024 at 11:09 PM, OnTheLash said:

Use Skype. It costs peanuts!!

I have always used skype to contact them with no problem but now they say they cannot hear me and afte a short wait hang up.

I have tested my microphone etc and all is in order so this is some new problem their end. 😞

On 2/19/2025 at 6:58 PM, somo said:

I have always used skype to contact them with no problem but now they say they cannot hear me and afte a short wait hang up.

I have tested my microphone etc and all is in order so this is some new problem their end. 😞

I have had this happen a few times in the past with HMRC.

Worth checking before each call by using the free test function in settings and making sure you can hear what you said. Secondly I have noticed twice recently that my mic was showing as being on mute in the Skype app when I went to make a call......

The other possibility is that the Voip service at that point in time was flaky and or some internal issue at that moment as you mention.