Universal credit

[kilbride65]

I’ve been told I’m eligible for this and applied as my work dried up overnight being self employed.

I have to arrange an identity check as they couldn’t verify either me or my partner online and have been instructed to call them.

Been trying for the past week to get through, each time I call I go through an automatic identity process required to speak to someone and when I complete it, it disconnects me.

Getting a bit worried. Anyone else unable to get through?

It’s exactly the same for us what an absolute nightmare. Can’t offer advice but I’m with you @kilbride65

Put a message on your journal saying this and asking them to call you. I think that’s what they are doing now.

Thanks for info x

@planttheseedstodayfortomorrow

Good to know I’m not alone!

@Krabapple

Yes I’ve left about five messages on there and nothing back! I’ll update on here if I get a response.

Iv update the journal lots today too almost sound like I’m begging.

Don’t know about you guys but I’m def going to appreciate money more, once this horrible virus has left us, because it’s true you really are just a month or two away from falling flat on your face. It’s very scary and it’s gave me a reality check.

Even if you don't get a response, please, add a message in your journal. Someone will get back to you, eventually. Half a million have signed up in the last week. There are delays but it will be sorted.

It's down the number of claims that have been received. On top of the fact that number of people who normally deal with the claims in both jobcentre and service centres has been decimated due to social distancing/shielding, self isolation and childcare.

They are working hard behind the scenes to get to everyone. They are redeploying staff from other areas to help.

I know this doesn't help or change your situation currently and doesn't take away the stress of trying to talk to someone but the DWP are aware of what's happening and are working to get it sorted.

Reallywhataday is spot on.

I put in a new claim last week and I'm really confused about the contradictory messages telling me to call / not to call even if I'm asked to call, then another message to call and so on 😩.
Very confusing.
I haven't called as I have been told that human kind will be extinct by the time I get through, but I have bombarded them with every single action, in my journal.
I know they have had a huge influx of new claims, but I refuse to be penalised /sanctioned because of their shitty system.

You will not be penalised or sanctioned because of the system and not being able to get through. That's why a journal message is important.

Horrible though it is, it comes down to staff numbers. Half a million new claims in five days of course there is a backlog. Usual phone staff numbers nowhere near able to meet that. Other DWP staff are being redeployed.

Hi, I put a claim in online and couldn't verify my ID, so when you sign into your UC account and it says verify. Under that (i think is a blue underlined click that says can't verify online. Click this (it's like the forgotten password link), it then asks you about forms of I'd you can bring to an interview (all interviews are over the phone so don't panic). This clears the task off your to do list and invites you to book an apt by phone. I called at 08.10 yesterday and got through at 13.45, just put your phone on speaker and get on with your day. If there's anyone else in your household who needs to speak to them don't put the phone down, pass it over. So frightening and frustrating but they are lovely when you speak to them, I could have cried at my lady's positive kind attitude. Then we booked our telephone appointment for a week Monday. I have been told at the telephone Interview they can't verify your info over the phone (mums friend is a senior manager at the dwp), so just be as honest as you can as when this is over checks and proofs will be needed and overpayment paid back. Not that you nice people would be on the fiddle but unfortunately there's always someone who will take advantage of a situation like this. Good luck. Try to keep calm and do it bit by bit.

I am self employed and have also had all work dry up. My husband is employed and still working- is it worth applying for UC or will his wages cancel out anything I might be allowed to claim? I have no experience with the system or other benefits bar child tax credits but we have 2 kids and a mortgage etc and like so many people we are unable to cover our household bills on his wage alone.

Google benefits calculator, turn2us is good and the gov. UK one too, it should give you a rough idea of what you could claim.

Mammatino that's a very useful and encouraging post. Just one point - DWP can verify ID over the phone, they are just using a different system, usually regularly used elsewhere across other Gov.uk sites.