Recently, we suggested that if you are are finding it impossible to contact the DWP by telephone you should consider asking your MP for help.

It’s clear from your responses that some MPs’ offices provide really excellent support, even if others are utterly uninterested.

It made us wonder if there are other sources of help out there that might not have occurred to lots of people.

So, we’re asking you to tell us about anybody that has made a real difference to your benefits claim or appeal and what it was they did that made a difference.

This might be an organisation, such as a health specific charity or it might be an individual, such as a housing worker.  Maybe it was an online resource? 

Whatever it was, if you think it might be of value to other readers, please let us know in the comments below.

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    Morgan · 3 days ago
    Been trying DLA for months is there any other ways?
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    Jeremy Tubb · 10 days ago
    Cannot get through to ESA 08001690310 they have changed my ESA to JSA no reason
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    PolitelyFfustrated · 13 days ago
    ESA number ending in 0310 closed still but keeps saying that its open between 8+5
    It is now 10:12 so 2hours late and my payments missing 
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    P.Littlewood · 18 days ago
    COME ON DWP NOBODY CAN GET THOUGH TO YOU AS THE NUMBER 
    DOES NOT WORK THE AI IA NOT WORKING LOOK AT THE MESSAGES COME HELP US 
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    Stephen · 19 days ago
    Phone number 0800 169 0310 take over an hour and half for anyone to ever answer and by the time they do my phone battery is usually so low that the phone goes dead during the conversation. Absolute disgrace.
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    Marie-Rose Yepes · 22 days ago
    IMPOSSIBLE to get through to ESA. HOURS on the phone for nothing. They owe me so much money and it was supposed to be paid today and they haven’t. This puts us in such a delicate situation 
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    Francis · 24 days ago
    PIP Helpline: All the options end in a siren-like beeping then hang up, a recorded message saying they can’t help or an extremely long wait time. They texted me to ask me to call them and I can’t get back in touch, it’s ridiculous. Do I write them a letter?!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Gary Norman · 19 days ago
      @Francis Hi..I am in the same position, I want an update on my pip claim. I try calling and it's a siren like beeping or engaged tone, then just hangs up
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dave · 25 days ago
    Been trying to contact esa for 2 weeks and can not get through now my benefit as stopped as they said in a message I have not got back to them it’s disgusting!
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    Brian · 25 days ago
    You can forget about ever getting through to Jobcentre Plus for ESA change of circumstances @ Telephone: 0800 169 0310.  I've called that number at various times of the day and on different days of the week, and never once did I got through to anybody, much less an AI Robot.....I've "hung-on-the-line" for over an hour most times.  I finally had enough and just gave up after each time of being placed on hold for more than an hour on each occasion.  I don't know how to reach any of these people other than through this number.  Obviously nobody is picking up the phone at DWP Jobcentre Plus.  My doctor will be putting me back to work soon.  I will need to contact DWP to inform them to stop the ESA payments (not that I've yet to receive one payment yet..)and there's no way I'll be able to reach anybody on this ridiculous 0800 number.......This country really is broken.
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    Karen · 25 days ago
    An absolute joke I've tried over a week now to make changes to my sons esa and all I'm getting is " we know you are waiting " well yes I've been on hold for nearly 3 hours every day for over a week how are you ment to make changes if they don't answer the phone. 
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    Janice · 25 days ago
    I have tried for hours and days at a time appalling service - no one answers the phone at Jobcentre Plus for ESA change.  Why can't you just provide an email address - the telephone is conveniently easy to ignore - absolute shambles
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    Frustrated · 26 days ago
    It's been 2 hours and still on phone not answered  this has been every day for a week  can't be that busy....thank you for waiting, we know you are waiting to speak to an agent, and will put you through as soon as we can...i hear this in my sleep
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    chris w · 26 days ago
    been on hold to ESA for 3 hours! what the heck , the automated line is a joke 
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    Gillian · 26 days ago
    My MP is the prime minister. I've just sent my email off because I can't get through to the PIP folks. Fingers crossed!
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    Jay · 26 days ago
    ESAto note change of circumstances. Get to around 45 mins waiting to be then cut off. 
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    Jenny · 26 days ago
    The dwp has informed my local council tax dept I no longer live at my current address and  have giving them an address I lived at 5 years ago . I cannot reach any DWP department to speak to about this !! 
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    Jess w · 26 days ago
    I know this is old but people are still commenting and things are almost worse.. I've spent a total of 5hrs on hold in two days... what can we do about this? 
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    Jackie · 27 days ago
    I phoned 08001690310 just after 4pm on Friday and was on hold for over an our and a half, then a message played saying that there had been a problem and I should phone back at another time, it then cut the call off
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    Christine · 29 days ago
    been on the line now for 2 and half hours still no reply, trying to find out why I havent had no money for a month and probably have to wait again till next week.