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Hi all,
OK so I am English but have been living here for 5 years now. We have our own house here (ie paying a mortgage), I worked here for the first couple of years and am currently a SAHM to my two DS. My husband works full time.
Both of my sons are eligibile for, and receive, child benefit here but my problem is that every few weeks I receive a letter from the Child Benefit people asking me to confirm my details are still correct. I also have to confirm details for each of my sons (as they are under 5 this is the their Dr’s name/address/contact no). My children are 2 yrs and 13 wks and as I say we have lived here since before they were born and haven’t changed their dr in that time (why would we?). I can only think that these letters are being directed to me because I am not an Irish citizen and they are trying to "catch me out". I am fully aware people do cheat the system and think things should be done to protect it but I am fed up with continually getting these letters. Mainly because the first thing it states is that if a reply is not received within 21 days we are at risk of our benefit being stopped! And I should also mention these letters have arrived no earlier than 6 days after the date on the letter!!
So, my main concern is that one day we will accidentally miss this deadline (my oldest has a new habit of posting the post back through the letter box – aaarghhh!! And then there are holidays etc…), so I want to speak to CB office to explain that we will get in touch if we move etc (just like everyone else) and see if there is a way of assuring them we aren’t fiddling anyone!!
Anyway, I have rung the number on the letter 5 times now and each time have held for over 20 mins before being cut off. Today, on my 6th call I have been cut off almost immediately after hearing a recorded msg saying their "offices are open from 9.15am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday… please call back during these hours…". I rang at 2.15pm on a Wednesday!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the rant girls but this is really getting on my nerves now!!
Anyone any other ideas how I can get through to them?? Or in a similar situation?? Please reassure me it’s not personal – we’re honest people!!!!!
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest anyway!!
xxI too have been receiving these letters – however I am an Irish citizen so don’t know why they still sending them out!
I’d call into your local social welfare office and see if they are able to do something for you….explain the whole story along with the phone calls to CB Office and see what they have to say.
i know it sounds terrible and im sure you fit to explode with the irish system, i think they are trying to weed the spongers out of the system
I know the African woman involved in the scam between the UK and Ireland claimed over 250K in child benefit between teh two countries
Maybe get onto your local td to argue this for you 13 weeks after having a baby you dont need the stress.That sounds crazy alright. Maybe you should try emailing them as it’s very difficult to get through to the department by phone with the current work to rule in place. The email address should be on their website.
HTH
There are posts galore on rollercoaster, boards and askaboutmoney about this topic. Seems to be a bit unfair. I have never ever ever heard from them since ds was born. Money goes into bank every month…have informed them of address changes etc but other than that I have never gooten correspondence back from them.
Altho it prob is very annoying, its kindathe only way the gov can keep track of genuine claims and to keep the money going to people who deserve it.
do they always send this out? i never got one??
No it seems that they pick andchose who they send it to. More than likely its non Irish people but then again alot of Irish citezens have gotten them too!!!??!!! Who knows what their protocal is.
Hi girls,
I am not Irish, my HB is working in Ireland almost 6 years, nonstop. I am here 3.5 years, have been working. we have 3 children (not to mention this is almost 500 E in child benefit), little Paul is Irish 😉
We are getting thiese letters all the time lately, one even came 3 days before 21 day limit expires!!!!! I rang the office and lady told me , no worries,just post letter back. I was 😯 , because 500 is huge money in our family budget and if suddenly one day , just because somebody didnt bother to open my letter (in Child Benefit section), i will be cut this money…..
I do not think this is the right way to check people, in letter where you need to provide your employer’s number, they can put this data in their computer and then ring to the company to check if this person still works,if not , then they can send this letter.
I know there is a lot people and not only African, who claims loads benefits without any right to have them. One of those are One parent benefit 🙄I have been thinking about trying to resolve this letter problem,but if Irish Citizens are attacked as well i think i am small fish…. 🙁
Hi
Maybe this will open your eyes
I was born in N Ireland spent my teenage years in the south (where my father worked) and worked in England where my husband also worked before returning to N Ireland on threat of divorce. As far as I am aware my parents never got any type of benefit in the South for us children. Nor could we avail of any services in the North or South (GPs etc) unless paying privately.On return from England my husband suffering job loss, problems moving here etc wanted a divorce and returned to his parents house. I stayed at home having gvien up my career as a teacher to support him in his as he moved as a banker and to bring up our children and was ill for considerable time after having them. Income support, CSA and Housing Benefits would not pay me until I pursued the divorce (which I did not want ). They also said I had to sell my house and on top of this the solicitor wanted me to lodge £1000 with her and all money from any potential sale. I had to move due to harassment from neighbours (maybe it was the by then English accents) Housing benefit sent me forms and questioned my identity (talk about intruded upon) and wanted to know if I was living with the landlord, were my children his etc – also social services arrived at my door because I changed GP and address trying to make it out I was up to some scam. I still try to stayamicable with my exhusband but this too is judged suspiciously 😯
ps ran out of space above so will not stay too long
but just to finish I have spent the last nine years on my own bringing up my children from the age of 3 with no one to talk to and dealing with the type of problems the first post stated: letters with my private business going to wrong addresses not arrving at all, claims made appointments have been sent to me made for me when they haven’t, GP notes containing other people’s records, not being able to get through on the phone, time limits being set for me to return forms (for benefits and allowances) when in some cases I may have received paper work after the event – this has left me dealing on my nerves and exhausted. And on top of that neighbours I don’t know and who look down their nose at me because they think they are entitled to because I am on my own try and put their problems onto me to the point where I now have to move again for the sake of my children (while still trying to move back into the workplace myself) – not to mention generally how men and women and their children treat you "out there" when out at restaurants, shops, dentists etc – it is none of their business.Thanks for letting me chat 😳
God Wilson you’ve had it tough… what is it with all the red tape etc. Can the powers that be not look at each case and make the best choices based on their case rather then just follow whats in a book and to the letter of the law….
I hope you get yourself sorted and back on track soon…My sister has something similiar since she seperated from her DH. She works full time but earns below the a certain level and was entitled to claim Family income supplement. Every 3 months for the last i dont know how many years they would cut her off. She would have to reapply which took about 8 weeks would only have it back and i would be cut again. She has finally lost the supplement because she now earns over €350 per week i think it is. Thats €350 per week she has to pay the mortgage, car, insurance and feed her and the 2 kids. She has previously working 30 hours per week and now has gone up to 40 hours and was working another job at night just to meet the bills. SHe could have easily said f*ck this and went to the dole but she wont for her own sanity.
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