Is this just getting ridiculous! UNIVERSAL CREDIT

Have you phoned them? If not, I'd give them a ring and say nobody is responding to your journal messages.

I have something like 10% of the energy of a healthy person. I have to stay at home most of the time and rest a lot to avoid getting ill. If I overdo it too often, I can end up bedridden. This is the nature of ME/CFS.

The Job Centre is fairly far away, which is part of the problem. So yes, I have coffee with a friend about once a week. It’s easier because it is nearby and it is also a quiet and calming sensory environment whereas the Job Centre is the opposite. Plus seeing friends occasionally is essential.

I do go on flights. If I do that. I pack at least a week in advance, have at least 2 days of total rest beforehand, get a lift to the airport and use disabled assistance at the airport.

The DWP had has had my health assessed and the result of that was that I am too ill to work.

I’m not trying to be rude here but how does going to them differ from say, doing your shopping, going to meet a friend for coffee, taking a flight etc or does it?

No! This couldn’t be further from the truth. They wanted to see my bank statements because I received a PIP back payment, which took me over £6k.

No suspected fraud.

No lack of engagement - in fact quite the opposite. They recently requested me to upload about 40 (!) documents but the upload link was set with a limit of 10 documents. I have been asking them for 2 weeks to give me another upload link but they are not even responding. If I behaved like this they would reduce my payment as a punishment.

What UC can you claim if you earn £50k?

I’m wondering about the purpose of the letter from the GP - were you given details of what they want the GP to write about?

Maybe she has support for those things or doesn’t do them.
The job centre obviously demanded to see her in person at a time/day of their choosing.

I’m not trying to be rude here but how does going to them differ from say, doing your shopping, going to meet a friend for coffee, taking a flight etc or does it?

It's a daft assumption to suggest that those tired of the system being overused would be the first to claim when we aren't! That's the whole point! Many of us that get annoyed don't have children to use to get money and even when made redundant it's not worth the extreme aggravation to try and get a pittance. I've no interest in being in the benefit system I assure you! Some respect and appreciation from those of you who are funded by our tax money would be nice though!

We get tired of being told just how big the benefit bill is getting and just how big a percentage of the population is claiming - can you honestly not see what a bleak future it is for the UK! All the parents I see online claiming that all their kids are disabled for being ND/ADHD etc, we are heading for a future where too much of the population wants a paid for life and there won't be enough working tax payers to fund it!

I've known benefit piss takers in the past, laughingly showing me their unused boxes of anti depressants they don't even need but raising their kids on benefits, even the wife was allowed to sit and slob on benefits. Look at all the single mothers that have families several times bigger than working families to a secret daddy thay doesn't fund his kids. Any normal person of decency would get pissed off at the abuse of the system.

It’s the same in Ireland I did this up thread! Everything is done through your PPS number (which is given at birth!) and it’s all linked, even your dc’s PPS numbers are linked to yours as a mother, linked to the school they attend, nursery or childminder for the childcare subsidies etc. it’s all there on linked systems

No. I have ME/CFS. They know that, it’s like being a mobile phone that only charges up to 10% when left on charge all night. I find normal everyday activities like having a shower exhausting.

No! This couldn’t be further from the truth. They wanted to see my bank statements because I received a PIP back payment, which took me over £6k.

No suspected fraud.

No lack of engagement - in fact quite the opposite. They recently requested me to upload about 40 (!) documents but the upload link was set with a limit of 10 documents. I have been asking them for 2 weeks to give me another upload link but they are not even responding. If I behaved like this they would reduce my payment as a punishment.

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.

Benefits have changed a great deal over the years- far more people are eligible now because you can earn up to £50,000 a year and still claim it- when I last claimed you could get nothing if you had any income or savings of £500. This means the exposure to fraud,and claimants who don't qualify because of savings exponentially greater- so the proof they request have become far more reaching-it's only logical, without this the country would be even more bankrupt than it is already.

There is likely more going on here, lack of engagement or suspected fraud. It could even be that the previous bank statements showed savings close to the limit. I’m not saying bad or unfair decisions are never made but it is highly likely that there are other factors going on.

I did make a complaint. I didn’t get anywhere. I don’t have the energy to peruse it further.

I believe they are breaking the law.

Given your illness you could probably have grounds for a formal complaint. What reason could they have for insisting you attend in person for something that can be easily uploaded online?

Given your illness you could probably have grounds for a formal complaint. What reason could they have for insisting you attend in person for something that can be easily uploaded online?

A huge amount goes on PIP, the anxiety and depression claims need cleaning down on as working will do them far more good than sitting festering on benefits. Also these single mothers sat having 6,7,8 kids plus whilst daddy hides in the shadows needs stopping. These women become u employable due to the large families they have that no job will realistically pay enough money to support. Funny how they always have these large families whilst workers often have just one or two kids or none at all due to cost.

This is what we should be doing.

To add...
Please seek help and support from DLA if you're unwell. Once you can claim pip you won't have the pressure of the usual rigmarole.

Having reread your post I'm sorry for my reaction. I do get it but tend to feel defensive because I have my own crazy problems but still work. It's a struggle, would stop and claim benefits if I could but because of circumstances I can't.

Long story, just wanted to say sorry I do understand but at the end of the day you just have do these things. Xxx

That would make sense so of course it doesn't exist in UK. In Nordic countries everything is connected via your ID number. Police, taxman, social benefits services, GP, you name it - any government dept can double check what you are claiming for and if what you say is true or not. Their IT systems are fully linked, making cross referencing super easy and fast, making scamming the system almost impossible. But British like to be old-fashioned and impractical 😑😑😑

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.

I do understand what you're saying and the UC procedures can seem to be intrusive but to continue to get benefits this is what everyone has to do.

As always, it's the minority who spoil it for everyone else.

It is actually easier now with online correspondence and providing evidence rather than going for weekly sign ons as in the 'olden days'.

If you get PIP or have a young child then you don't need to be actively looking for work. Reviews are part of the course so, sorry, I still don't see the issue?

When receiving UC everyone has to validate the reason for it. So, yes, I stand by filling in forms and taking a photo really isn't too much to ask.

It will only become a bombardment when concerns have been raised and more information needed. So just supply the documents?

It is that simple, to get entitled money from UC you've got to follow the rules, which takes a bit of time out of your normal schedule. Xxx