[Misc] Can You Believe This?

el punal · Dec 11, 2020

As I’m an old dribbler I’m eligible for the Government’s winter fuel allowance. This is paid by the Department of Works and Pensions to the tune of £200 per household. To cut a long story short we received our payment (me and Mrs.Punal) to the tune of £10 each - a bit of a shortfall to say the least, and obviously an error has occurred in the system.

I then contacted the DWP on their recommended phone number, essentially an answering service with numerous options. The best bit? - “ If you wish to hear this in English please press 1.”

m@goo · Dec 11, 2020

What language was it in to start with?

Thunder Bolt · Dec 11, 2020

el punal said:
As I’m an old dribbler I’m eligible for the Government’s winter fuel allowance. This is paid by the Department of Works and Pensions to the tune of £200 per household. To cut a long story short we received our payment (me and Mrs.Punal) to the tune of £10 each - a bit of a shortfall to say the least, and obviously an error has occurred in the system.

I then contacted the DWP on their recommended phone number, essentially an answering service with numerous options. The best bit? - “ If you wish to hear this in English please press 1.”

The £10 is the Christmas pension bonus. I got mine this week.
Winter Fuel Allowance is late this year (down to Covid and staff) I got mine in the bank today, whereas last year it was November 19th.

FindonFan · Dec 11, 2020

How very considerate of them.
Check your bank statement around the 25/27th November, that’s when we tend to receive our Winter Fuel Allowance (£200). A further £10 per person usually arrives early December and is some sort of extra Christmas bonus.

el punal · Dec 11, 2020

Thunder Bolt said:
The £10 is the Christmas pension bonus. I got mine this week.
Winter Fuel Allowance is late this year (down to Covid and staff) I got mine in the bank today, whereas last year it was November 19th.

Thanks for that. Never expected the £10 bonus so automatically thought it was an error re.fuel payment. :thumbsup:

Blue Valkyrie · Dec 11, 2020

The £10 is to cover the cost of Santa's mince pie and sherry.

The £200 is a different payment.

wellquickwoody · Dec 11, 2020

el punal said:
As I’m an old dribbler I’m eligible for the Government’s winter fuel allowance. This is paid by the Department of Works and Pensions to the tune of £200 per household. To cut a long story short we received our payment (me and Mrs.Punal) to the tune of £10 each - a bit of a shortfall to say the least, and obviously an error has occurred in the system.

I then contacted the DWP on their recommended phone number, essentially an answering service with numerous options. The best bit? - “ If you wish to hear this in English please press 1.”

Racist!

mikeyjh · Dec 11, 2020

el punal said:
I then contacted the DWP on their recommended phone number, essentially an answering service with numerous options. The best bit? - “ If you wish to hear this in English please press 1.”

I assume that would be because their services in Wales must be available in Welsh, unsurprisingly....

Worried Man Blues · Dec 11, 2020

What was the alternative? If you can't understand this press 2?

el punal · Dec 11, 2020

wellquickwoody said:
Racist!

Terrible, isn’t it! What’s worse is that the call centre is in Wolverhampton so presumably the Black Country accent is so strong that they had to introduce an alternative means of communication.

Gazwag · Dec 11, 2020

mikeyjh said:
I assume that would be because their services in Wales must be available in Welsh, unsurprisingly....

Well that's pissed on his bonfire :lolol:

I get mildly amused when ringing HMRC when the automated message states "as many of our staff are working from home you may hear unusual noises such as dogs barking" although any amusement is quickly forgotten after the first 2 minutes for the usual 20 waiting to be put through to a person

schmunk · Dec 11, 2020

mikeyjh said:
I assume that would be because their services in Wales must be available in Welsh, unsurprisingly....

It's exactly this - 0800 731 0160

And to think we're supposed to respect our elders...

Neville's Breakfast · Dec 11, 2020

mikeyjh said:
I assume that would be because their services in Wales must be available in Welsh, unsurprisingly....

I was about to reply that no-one in Wales speaks Welsh but turns out that a massive 18 % are able to speak their mother tongue :facepalm:

Edit; just noticed your location. Brilliant place name (genuinely). I’ve been repeating/practicing it in my best Welsh accent.

AmexRuislip · Dec 11, 2020

Gazwag said:
Well that's pissed on his bonfire

I get mildly amused when ringing HMRC when the automated message states "as many of our staff are working from home you may hear unusual noises such as dogs barking" although any amusement is quickly forgotten after the first 2 minutes for the usual 20 waiting to be put through to a person

I suppose dogs barking, would be preferable than listening to 20 mins of Max Boyce warbling down the phone to you

Worried Man Blues · Dec 11, 2020

Neville's Breakfast said:
I was about to reply that no-one in Wales speaks Welsh but turns out that a massive 18 % are able to speak their mother tongue

Also 99% can speak English........................if they have to

Dick Swiveller · Dec 11, 2020

mikeyjh said:
I assume that would be because their services in Wales must be available in Welsh, unsurprisingly....

I am aware of some Welsh telephone systems that give you the option for English or Welsh. They told me they didn't see the point as they have no Welsh speakers working for them.

Thunder Bolt · Dec 11, 2020

Neville's Breakfast said:
I was about to reply that no-one in Wales speaks Welsh but turns out that a massive 18 % are able to speak their mother tongue

Edit; just noticed your location. Brilliant place name (genuinely). I’ve been repeating/practicing it in my best Welsh accent.

I have a friend in his 80s, who lives in Tredegar, who can remember being punished at school for speaking Welsh.
Fortunately, schools are more enlightened nowadays.

Neville's Breakfast · Dec 11, 2020

Thunder Bolt said:
I have a friend in his 80s, who lives in Tredegar, who can remember being punished at school for speaking Welsh.
Fortunately, schools are more enlightened nowadays.

Goodness, that’s terrible. My wife says similar regarding being punished at school for writing with her left hand.

Official Old Man · Dec 11, 2020

Old age, pension, heating allowance & bus pass. I've looked forward to this year for all my working life.
Now I've got here they've added another year. 66 before I get anything. Roll on November 2021, just hope I make it.

el punal · Dec 11, 2020

I remember the good times said:
Old age, pension, heating allowance & bus pass. I've looked forward to this year for all my working life.
Now I've got here they've added another year. 66 before I get anything. Roll on November 2021, just hope I make it.

Bet they still ask you for ID when you try to buy alcohol.

Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

[Misc] Can You Believe This?

Well-known member

New member

Silly old bat

Well-known member

Well-known member

Not seen such Bravery!

Many More Voting Years

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

5 millionth post poster

"Members"

Well-known member

Trainee Spy 🕵️‍♂️

Well-known member

Well-known member

Silly old bat

Well-known member

Uckfield Seagull

Well-known member

Share this page