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ESA existing benefit claims number-long waiting time.
I have recently been trying to contact the ESA existing benefit claims number- 0800 169 0310 with clients present and via implicit consent. I have been waiting on the line for an above usual amount of time. Yesterday when I finally got through to them the gentleman I spoke to put the telephone down on me. Anyone else experiencing this?
Yep in my experience the wait times have got worse again since they made it free phone. Back up to 15-20 minutes and often longer.
If I’m on outreach and pressed for time I tend to call our escalations at the benefits centres who are normally sympathetic. If I’m at my desk I sit in the queue and try and ignore the Vivaldi :’(
It’s particularly dire these last few days; regular 25-30 minute waits; previously they’d usually answer around the 20 minute mark.
Last attempt on 26/02/2018, hung up after 44 minutes.
According to a FOI response average waiting time in week commencing 4 June was 26.40 minutes
Is anyone else getting cut off after all the automated menus?
23 minutes of the dreaded Vivaldi and still waiting. They really are a joke!
My client was on for an hour yesterday.
yip. this is causing me real problems though i tend to use the time to read and post here :D
I eventually gave up after 45 minutes. They’ll get the enquiry as a complaint via the MP on Monday, and that means they will HAVE to reply, and record the complaint.
I’ve been waiting 40 minutes plus and still no answer today plus the numbers we had for benefit centres are also not picking up! Have they redeployed all the ESA staff?