My main task today was to visit the local benefits agency to try and establish exactly what my wife and I would be entitled too the day after we close our business.
Now my first mistake was expecting the benefits agency to be open before 10am. Do they take the stereotypical view that claimants spend all evening smoking dope and playing video games and don't get up until after 10am?
My second mistake was expecting that I might be afforded some measure of privacy for my enquiry. What you get is a huge open plan office area that caters for a multitude of services from 'signing on' to looking for jobs to abusing the staff. For general enquiries, you're directed by the 'floor walkers' (yes that really is what they are called) to a podium in the centre of the open plan office which you will share with at least two other people making a general enquiry, while staff proudly wearing a 'customer services' badge ask you to speak up so you can be heard over the two other people stood uncomfortably close next to you.
My third and fatal mistake was expecting that 'customer services' staff, or indeed any member of staff would be able to answer my specific question about 'BENEFITS'
I was informed that there were no members of staff in the 'benefits' office I was stood in that was qualified to answer any questions that concerned 'benefits' I would have to check the .gov website or telephone the benefits agency to get the answer I required. I explained that I had already contacted the benefits agency by telephone on two occasions with the same question and had received two completely different answers, which was why I was stood in the 'benefits' office trying to get a definitive answer.
Their advice? "Try the local Citizens Advice Bureau, they're much more skilled in these matters than we are"
I have to say my experience has not filled me with much confidence when the time comes in approximately four weeks when my wife and I have to make a claim. I'm sure that experience will get another post all of it's own.
On a positive note, they were extremely polite and well presented and I was made to feel welcome.
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