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?

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?

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.

If you  need to make a claim for benefit the number is 0800 055 6688

Try 01332 243800  :)

Yes I am aware of that thank you sherbert.

Thank you Smithysaver, I will give that one a try.

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?  :-?

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.

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......

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.

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....

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.

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.

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. >:(

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

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.

JonCooper wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 3:43pm:

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

Perhaps you would like to contribute more often, with numbers that are not "useless", of course.

Maybe you can provide working alternative numbers without any information.

see what I mean? terse and snappy answer.
I know what "read the rules" means, and it hasn't been said to me
I just noticed it said on several threads and think it comes across as quite harsh and confrontational
but, apparently that's how it is here (judging by your reply)

Dave wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 5:06pm:

Perhaps you would like to contribute more often, with numbers that are not "useless", of course. Maybe you can provide working alternative numbers without any information.

nah, my posting style wouldn't fit in with the prevailing attitude

JonCooper wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 5:17pm:

Dave wrote on Dec 30th, 2008 at 5:06pm: Perhaps you would like to contribute more often, with numbers that are not "useless", of course. Maybe you can provide working alternative numbers without any information. nah, my posting style wouldn't fit in with the prevailing attitude

So what you are saying is, 'let others do the hard work and I will just sit here and just criticise.' Brilliant, very helpful [smiley=thumbdown.gif]

JonCooper wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 5:15pm:

see what I mean? terse and snappy answer. I know what "read the rules" means, and it hasn't been said to me I just noticed it said on several threads and think it comes across as quite harsh and confrontational but, apparently that's how it is here (judging by your reply)

I have amended the wording in my signature from:


Quote:

Help us to help you Read the guide before posting a request

to:


Quote:

When posting a request, please provide any useful information you have.

I am limited in the number of characters I can use for it. If you have any further suggestions, please post them or contact me via private message.


The need (for want of a better word) to read and act on the instructions/guide is a pragmatic one. Providing information gets us to the position of an alternative number.

Therefore, those requests which don't offer any information leave others to find it or may well not get a response. Furthermore, there may be several steps to getting an alternative. For example, one member finds some information which he/she posts and someone else then finds a second piece of information which leads to a suitable number being posted. This does not mean that the one who posted the number is "the only one to actually help" because the other member didn't offer a number.

Any suggested alternatives are provided without warranties. It may be that the number is not a direct alternative. For example, it may be sales or switchboard when the request is for customer services. It's down to those requesting the number to see if they will help or put them through from the alternative.

Saying that a suggested solution is "useless" is confrontational in itself. It's much a slap in the face for whoever helped find it.

Providing feedback on whether numbers work or not helps others with the same or similar query. This is the point of the website. Everyone helps one another. Hence the database is a compilation of numbers which have been found by the efforts of many people.

Dave, thanks for seeing what I was trying to say rather than the more agreesive tone of the post above yours.

I am NOT trying to have a go here, I have only posted half-a-dozen times, and untill today all my posts were to thank others for their very usefull contribution

I also didn't notice your sig before now, I had read serveral threads where the ONLY response was a post that said "read the rules" and nothing else.

I think this website is a fantastic resource which has a great reputation with everyone I know, it's just that today several times I thought "oops, that's a bit strong" and this thread happens to be where I thought I'd say something. I guess if you guys are happy to project that image then it's not my problem and I apologise for any offence