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How to Use This Guide

This guide is designed to get you from thinking you have a claim to money in your account as quickly as possible.

START: You Have a ProblemSTEP 1: GATHER EVIDENCE• Contracts & receipts• Bank statements• Photos & screenshots• Timeline of events8 weeks maxSTEP 2: COMPLAIN TO COMPANY• Use template letter• Be clear & factual• State what you want• Keep copiesResponse within8 weeks?YESNOCan escalateimmediatelySatisfied?YESRESOLVED ✓NO6 months maxSTEP 3: ESCALATE TO OMBUDSMAN• Financial → FOS• Energy → Energy Ombudsman• Telecoms → CISAS/OS• Housing → Housing OmbudsmanOmbudsmanupholds?YESCompany must pay→ RESOLVED ✓NOAcceptdecision?YESCLOSEDNOCan still go to court14 days noticeSTEP 4: COURT (Last Resort)• Send Letter Before Action• Wait 14 days• File on Money Claim Online• Pay court feeCompanysettles?YESSETTLED ✓NOHearing &JudgmentCOURT DECIDESFOS Success Rate31-38%upheld in favourCourt TipMost companiessettle beforehearing
Successful resolution
Action step
Decision point
Yes path
No path

#Finding Your Claim

#Option 1: Browse by Category

Claims are organised into categories:

Icon Category Examples
💰 Big Claims Motor finance, tenancy deposits, pensions
🏦 Banking & Credit Section 75, chargebacks, overdrafts, APP fraud
🏠 Housing & Property Disrepair, council tax, NHBC, leasehold
✈️ Travel & Transport Flight delays, train delays, timeshares
📋 Tax & Benefits Marriage allowance, HMRC refunds
🛒 Consumer Rights Faulty goods, parking tickets, warranties
📡 Telecoms & Utilities Broadband, energy billing
🔐 Data & Privacy GDPR breaches
📁 Other Claims GAP insurance, gambling self-exclusion

#Option 2: Use the Claims Index

See the Complete Claims Index for a numbered list of all 27 claims with difficulty ratings and typical payouts.

#Option 3: Not Sure What Claim You Have?

Use the Quick Eligibility Checker or the "Which Claim Am I?" Decision Tree to identify your claim type.

#Understanding Each Claim Section

Every claim guide follows the same structure:

#📊 At a Glance Box

Quick reference showing:

  • Difficulty – ⭐ Easy, ⭐⭐ Medium, or ⭐⭐⭐ Complex
  • DIY Time – How long it typically takes
  • Average Payout – What people typically receive
  • Time Limit – Deadline to make your claim
  • Escalation – Where to go if the company says no

#✅ Eligibility Criteria

Clear checklist of who can claim and who can't.

#📝 Step-by-Step Process

Numbered instructions from start to finish.

#📄 Sample Letters

Ready-to-use complaint letters – just fill in your details.

#❓ FAQs

Answers to the most common questions.

#Key Symbols Used

Symbol Meaning
⭐ Easy – Straightforward claim, minimal effort
⭐⭐ Medium – Some complexity, may need evidence gathering
⭐⭐⭐ Complex – More involved, but still DIY-able
✅ You likely qualify
❌ You likely don't qualify
⚠️ Warning or important caveat
💡 Tip or helpful suggestion
📋 Template or checklist available

#The Complaint Process (Overview)

Almost every claim follows this pattern:

1. GATHER EVIDENCE
   ↓
2. COMPLAIN TO COMPANY
   ↓
3. WAIT FOR RESPONSE (usually 8 weeks max)
   ↓
4. IF REJECTED → ESCALATE TO OMBUDSMAN/ADR
   ↓
5. IF STILL REJECTED → CONSIDER COURT (rare)

The ombudsman stage is free and resolves most disputes. Very few claims need to go to court.

#Tips for Success

  1. Keep everything in writing – Email is better than phone calls
  2. Save all documents – Contracts, statements, correspondence
  3. Note dates and amounts – Be specific in your complaint
  4. Stay calm and factual – Emotional letters are less effective
  5. Follow up – If you don't hear back, chase them
  6. Don't give up after first rejection – Many successful claims were initially refused

#Using AI to Help

This guide includes a section on Using AI Tools for Your Claim. Free AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude can:

  • Draft complaint letters for you
  • Explain your rights in plain English
  • Help you respond to rejections
  • Find contact details for companies

See that section for copy-paste prompts to get started.

#Getting Started