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Original poster

Is this just getting ridiculous! UNIVERSAL CREDIT

488 replies

ChristmasTime2023 · 05/02/2026 16:06

So had a review with UC today phone call she stated she would up date the journal with what I need to provide.
A full length photo of myself standing outside my front door with the key in the lock!?
Then a letter from the children's school & nursery saying they attend there
A letter from the children's gp
Passport photos
Child benefit award letter
Birth certificates (they have had birth certificates before )

This isn't a new claim either I dont understand why gp letters are needed they want one for me and my partner too.

Also on the phone call asked who I use for my gas and electricity
Ive never been asked these things before seems strange to ask?
Anyone else had a review lately what did they ask for.

Partner works full time if that matters.

OP posts:
Fishpieandchips · 05/02/2026 21:43

For posters saying its excessive requirements. Fraud is off the scale within DWP and people claim all sorts of scenarios. Kids that dont exist, people who dont live in the country, plus fake housing for starters.
So the people who claim non fraudently might feel its too much but it does stop fraudulent claims carrying on. Although they often start new claims the day after but dont get me started on that!

Fulmine · 05/02/2026 21:43

Jellybunny56 · 05/02/2026 16:15

It is being asked for more now. Full length photo proves it is you, outside the front door links you to that exact address, key in lock shows you have full access and control of the property. Especially if you are claiming housing element, where we are at least they have recently found quite a number of people who are receiving housing benefit for a property which actually they are subletting and receiving rent for.

Show quote history

How does it link you to any address? If I had a picture of myself outside a door with a key in the lock, it could easily be a friend's house with friend's key in the lock. With many houses, there is nothing on the door to show the address.

AmberDreams · 05/02/2026 21:42

Someone else is doing work and receiving no pay for it to fund UC claimants so not unreasonable for the checks to be fairly robust.

Makingadecision · 05/02/2026 21:40

It’s costing the country a huge amount of money in fraud so it’s not unreasonable

dreichluver · 05/02/2026 21:40

Steevee · 05/02/2026 16:16

Beggars can’t be choosers OP.

As others say, it’d be easy to get around with AI but I guess they’re at least trying to reduce benefit fraud.

What a disgusting turn of phrase given the context.

SleeplessInWherever · 05/02/2026 21:39

Surely, there is no link between the photo with a key and you living there.

My FIL has a key to my house because sometimes he does the school run when we’re not here. He doesn’t live here, but could very easily get that photo taken.

As if UC are really that daft 😂

TotallyKerplunked · 05/02/2026 21:34

argh, I've got a review ongoing with a phone call next week so now I'm worrying about all the random shit evidence they're going to demand. I was reviewed a year ago and nothing has changed (I had to do the holding driving license by face and take a photo malarky last time and try and get a paypal/ebay statement so they could see I like buying old DVDs). For the person who said beggars cant be choosers - I'd rather not claim, I used to be a high earner but 2 disabled kids and an ex that fucked off into the sunset cos he couldn't cope kinda forced my hand.

monty09 · 05/02/2026 21:32

@ChristmasTime2023 if you download the HMRC app you can get all your details on there for the child benefit. Im on UC and never had anything like that.

Thechaseison71 · 05/02/2026 21:27

Vodka1 · 05/02/2026 21:21

Why isn't this all done in person anymore? Like you just go in with your ID and proof of address?

I know things were different during covid but we are years past that now, wild!

I was asked for my passport about 2 years into my claim (made during covid) and bank statements. Nothing as wild as a picture at a door, so easily faked, very odd!

Yeah just made a random image in seconds

Is this just getting ridiculous! UNIVERSAL CREDIT
NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/02/2026 21:26

I'd assume that some other fucker's tried claiming in your name for another address - hence the photo of you to match with your passport/driving licence ID and proof of the children's schools.

Thechaseison71 · 05/02/2026 21:26

TalulahJP · 05/02/2026 20:23

the door photo isn’t new. thats been a thing for at least two years.

they google it to make sure it matches the streetview. domt know what theyd do if it had been updated since streetview was done right enough…!

Yeah my next door neighbour has a new porch and front door since the street view pictures. Things obviously change. So glad I don't need to have dealings with this lot

Vodka1 · 05/02/2026 21:21

Why isn't this all done in person anymore? Like you just go in with your ID and proof of address?

I know things were different during covid but we are years past that now, wild!

I was asked for my passport about 2 years into my claim (made during covid) and bank statements. Nothing as wild as a picture at a door, so easily faked, very odd!

ohyesido · 05/02/2026 21:19

That sounds excessive, like they’re figuratively making people jump through hoops

littleorangefox · 05/02/2026 21:19

NorthXNorthWest · 05/02/2026 21:18

Yes they should, to counter fraud in the system.

Show quote history

Ok if you say so.

NorthXNorthWest · 05/02/2026 21:19

MissyPants · 05/02/2026 21:14

Because the whole system is set up to make you feel desperate. Miss an appointment or whatever and they take the one thing that we all need...they sanction with penalties by deducting money.
it's a derogatory system and makes people feel rock bottom, and there is a obvious power imbalance felt by people who use their services.
In their eyes you need them, so you will do whatever they require of you. If that's silly photos and faffing around getting all of this 'evidence' then so be it. The whole system is flawed.

Don't claim then.

NorthXNorthWest · 05/02/2026 21:18

littleorangefox · 05/02/2026 21:16

No they shouldn't. Nor should the bank accounts of anyone else living in the same property as the claimant unless they are part of a joint claim for a couple.

Show quote history

Yes they should, to counter fraud in the system.

littleorangefox · 05/02/2026 21:16

NorthXNorthWest · 05/02/2026 21:14

It doesn't change the fact that they should be reviewed, for those exact reasons.

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No they shouldn't. Nor should the bank accounts of anyone else living in the same property as the claimant unless they are part of a joint claim for a couple.

tinytinyviolin · 05/02/2026 21:16

saveforthat · 05/02/2026 18:58

It's a very well known phrase. You are not supposed to take it literally, I doubt the poster meant to cause offence.

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They knew what they were saying.

MissyPants · 05/02/2026 21:14

Because the whole system is set up to make you feel desperate. Miss an appointment or whatever and they take the one thing that we all need...they sanction with penalties by deducting money.
it's a derogatory system and makes people feel rock bottom, and there is a obvious power imbalance felt by people who use their services.
In their eyes you need them, so you will do whatever they require of you. If that's silly photos and faffing around getting all of this 'evidence' then so be it. The whole system is flawed.

NorthXNorthWest · 05/02/2026 21:14

littleorangefox · 05/02/2026 21:11

I'm just saying they aren't counted for UC purposes.

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It doesn't change the fact that they should be reviewed, for those exact reasons.

tinytinyviolin · 05/02/2026 21:14

Steevee · 05/02/2026 16:16

Beggars can’t be choosers OP.

As others say, it’d be easy to get around with AI but I guess they’re at least trying to reduce benefit fraud.

Fuck off wifh that attitude. Someone claiming UC is not a beggar ffs.

Theonlywayicanloveyou · 05/02/2026 21:14

ChristmasTime2023 · 05/02/2026 16:22

I dont even receive any housing element and they have asked for tenancy agreement I have already provided.
Just seemed pointless as my front door doesn't have my address

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They can check it on Google maps though

dizzydizzydizzy · 05/02/2026 21:13

NorthXNorthWest · 05/02/2026 19:27

If you don't want to do the checks, don't claim. Take issue with the cheaters, able bodied and registered disabled, who have made these additional steps necessary.

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I have no issue with the principal of having checks. I do have an issue with the the way I am treated.

I have sent them about half a dozen messages over the last couple of weeks and I’ve either had no reply or a promise of a reply by a certain deadline and they still don’ t do it. If I did that to then they would dock me money. They also make appointments for phone calls, don’t call and cancel an hour after the appointment time.

in general they make uploading documents as difficult as possible by imposing quite small file size limits and only providing (in my most recent example) about 10 upload links when I actually needed about 40. And why do they insist on having a load of documents that I gave them a year ago?

littleorangefox · 05/02/2026 21:12

dancingredshoes · 05/02/2026 19:29

@littleorangefoxwhy is it bizarre when so many people abuse the system?

You really don't think asking people to do these things is quite odd? OK then.

littleorangefox · 05/02/2026 21:11

NorthXNorthWest · 05/02/2026 19:18

Apart from the fact that some people have money put into their children's or the accounts of others to hide cash in hand payments. Yes, it is a thing.

Show quote history

I'm just saying they aren't counted for UC purposes.

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