|
|
Post by Jazz on Mar 12, 2011 12:48:36 GMT 1
Yes, its pretty upsetting when this sort of bureaucracy occurs. You have the good memories forever, Milky.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2011 14:30:58 GMT 1
I agree the bureaucracy of government can be insensitive however that is the nature of the machine. That said I also find it can work for you if you know how it operates. The first thing is not to react immediately to any requests, but do it in your time not theirs. Secondly is to establish a dialogue otherwise it remains a faceless exercise. Having a meaningful communication helps in other ways particulalry regarding any misinformation they may possess. Keep a written record of all contact as that saves time sorting through all the crap time after time. Never forget they work on your behalf not the other way around. Departments like the Tax office, DWP and others are easier to work with once that is firmly established. Also if all else fails ask to speak to a supervisor or manager, particularly if you feel whatever it is you are trying to sort out is going nowhere. Also work on the fear and uncertainty principle...............don't fight the system, act as stupid as they may think you are, have a contact number and name of local MP handy (the stunned silence on the end of a phone when you mention a name is priceless) and you always have the option to do nothing other than screw the whole thing up. Good luck MilkH and hope the advice, all of which I have used in the past so know it works, helps. CWL  |
|
|
|
Post by nicknackpaddywhack on Mar 12, 2011 16:55:35 GMT 1
In the last 10 to 15 years all we have had is cut after cut
and those cuts along side all those stealth taxes must of
created billions for the government at the time.
Can anyone tell me where those billions went because
nothing in my life has improved.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Mar 12, 2011 18:01:00 GMT 1
Dealing with some of these departments can be soul destroying-more so in times of crisis or despair when you are unable to act calmly and thoughtfully. After our fire we relied quite heavilly on Working Tax Credits as Mr Shads was by then on half pay due to the amount of time off.And we had alot of expenses-from hospital parking costs to paying full rent on the temporary housing we had been placed in-almost double our previous rent. We advised DWP of our circumstances so you can imagine my horror when they stopped our payments.On phoning them we were told it was because of our family break-up.The person who took our previous call had made an error in noting what had happened-sorting that one thing out took months not weeks.We relied on hand-outs from Social services to buy basics such as food and shoes and clothes for the kids as we had also lost everything in the fire.Each time I rang a different person answered and didnt know anything about the last conversations.I did speak to a manager-it made no difference.Social services rang on our behalf but DWP wouldnt deal with them-all of this at a time when my son was fighting for his life. It was finally sorted-in their time not mine and I came close to totally cracking up over the pressure and stress of it all  These days-things being calmer and having more time-I would have been straight on the phone to my local MP. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2011 18:17:02 GMT 1
Shads that cannot have been an easy time for you all............. It's from similar experiences I have developed the tactics I use now. One thing for sure being patient is not one of them............... and that includes using any dirty methods for getting them to do something quickly. My daughter was fobbed off for weeks being passed from pillar to post until I threatened to drop a line to the BBC and local press.............2 hours later after a few phone calls and emails job sorted. Mind you the department we were dealing with did say I could not act on her behalf..................they were wrong about that as well! CWL.  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2011 18:31:52 GMT 1
Thanks shads/CWL,
Normally I'm always up for a fight with bureaucracy and have had varying degrees of success. The problem it at the moment I don't have the stomach for a fight.
I've told the DWP and the tax office which deals with June's tax they'll have to wait till after probate (4/5 weeks) and my tax that I haven't got the details yet.
Maybe in a few weeks I'll feel like kicking some arses, I hope so.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Mar 12, 2011 18:54:52 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2011 19:34:01 GMT 1
I agree with Shads, on top of everything else you are having to deal with MilkH this kind of insensitive approach just makes me see red. It is possible to get help and the Citizens Advice may be able to see if there's an advocate locally who can assist you in sorting some of this on your behalf. The thing I find is that as a community we appear to have lost the togtherness I remember from being a child. Okay, in my early childhood I was brought up in a mining community where everyone knew everyone else, but now people feel so isolated. We are all trying our damnedest just to get through the day we've forgotten what it may be like for others struggling to do the same. Better stop there.................getting myself worked up........  CWL |
|
|
|
Post by Ann1 on Mar 12, 2011 20:54:45 GMT 1
I agree CWL, people are so "busy" these days no has time for anyone or anything!!! We've all become too wrapped up in our own lives. Many don't even know their next door neighbour, never mind someone from 6 doors down!!! A lot of villages have just become "commuter" places, with people out in work all day long, or too many are just "second home"villages!!!
|
|
