Universal credit - mixed age couples

[dillonbarks]

We have finally been pushed from tax credits to UC, the deadline is this week so have filled out the online forms, as has DH and accounts are linked. It's has immediately given him a 'prepare to meet your work coach' message/ he is almost 70 and gets a state pension. I have messaged back but been ignored in the journal meanwhile someone has given him an identity check at a job centre which I cannot take him to as it's on the 23rd December. I have written again that he cannot attend what with being a disabled pensioner but no response. It's been a few days and not getting any replies. Has anyone any experience of mixed age couples on UC, why would he have a work coach? I am on carers allowance so it's left me alone.

Is it just standard? My dh works full time and was still expected to go meet them and take ID (it wouldn't accept it online for some reason) even though neither of us need a work coach or are expected to work any more than we do.

I think the ID thing is standard as it wouldn't verify him for line but the work coach is weird. If m beginning to wonder if I have made a big mistake but it's been days and no one is bothering to respond on the journal

@dillonbarks I've had no reply to my journal message after 3 months
....it takes the piss sometimes

He shouldn't have a work coach as he is over State Pension Age. If you have sent a message via the journal but had no response you could try calling the Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 5644 as this can speed up a response. Is he receiving PIP or Attendance Allowance?

Sorry to hear that your experiencing this OP,I have no advice to offer. But I can't say I'm surprised to be honest,as I have heard so many similar stories,of people who who are on ESA in the support group,or who are retired,being told they have to attend Job Centre interviews with a view to look for work. This is despite being told that they will not be expected to. As for "The Journal' that you are meant to use to communicate with them,it sounds like a total waste of time. So many people I know have lodged a query and heard nothing back for days,or weeks,if at all. This is why I am dreading being moved from ESA (in the support group). I just know that I will be ordered to attend Work Restart interviews even though I am in no fit state to do so. Hope you get your issue sorted out very soon.

Oh god I had no idea it was this bad

I do plan to call them when I get a chance, I was just curious if I had made a mistake or if it was them

Thanks, I'm surprised but not surprised tbh.

Sorry meant to add he gets ADP (Scotland) and has been on it for almost 10 years (well it was PIP before the transfer)

@JohnTheRevelator if you are in the ESA support group I think you just have to see your work coach every three months??? I could be wrong though

I would advise attending the meeting as he'll get to explain the position in person and can prove that he is 70. The system seems so broken that an infringement could be recorded if he just doesn't attend his appointment.

I moved from ESA Support Group to UC in October and had to attend the Job Centre to agree to my work commitments. Since I was in the support group the work coach said I didn’t have any commitments, I’m not required to look for work and I don’t have to go back for any more appointments. It’s really not as bad as I imagined it to be.

I wouldn’t worry about having a work coach, I think everyone does whether they are required to work or not. It’s just how the system is until you properly move over.

Is he unable to verify his ID online?

Attending isn't an option on the date they have given.

Yeah it didn't work, no idea why we used his passport and tax credit info, all of which was correct.

Why can you/he not attend just because it is 23rd December? The 23rd is a working day so I think it’s right that they expect people to attend appointments on that day

If you don't attend it will just cause you more difficulty. I think he needs to go and get it sorted.

@Downtherivers

Why can you/he not attend just because it is 23rd December? The 23rd is a working day so I think it’s right that they expect people to attend appointments on that day

Because I cannot take him, basically. I don't really feel I need to go into detail, i am not looking for suggestions about how to get there, just respect that he cannot go.

@Viviennemary

If you don't attend it will just cause you more difficulty. I think he needs to go and get it sorted.

I'm not saying he can't go to be awkward. I'm saying he can't go because he can't go. It's not an option at all.

Thank you for your reassurance.

I’d call UC tomorrow as they may stop your claim for not attending.

Sorry but I think the sensible thing would be to make every effort that he goes. I too am not trying to be awkward. It needs to be sorted, the way these people operate is that if they ask you to attend appointments you attend. Otherwise there are often delays and back and forth correspondence getting nowhere.

I agree. They threaten to close your claim for none attendance.

@Viviennemary

Sorry but I think the sensible thing would be to make every effort that he goes.

Do you really believe I am not being sensible when I tell you my disabled husband cannot attend a job centre? Seriously?

I too am not trying to be awkward. It needs to be sorted, the way these people operate is that if they ask you to attend appointments you attend. Otherwise there are often delays and back and forth correspondence getting nowhere.

I understand it needs to be sorted, hence my trying to communicate with them.

@TwinkleLights24

I agree. They threaten to close your claim for none attendance.

If that's what they do that what they do, I can't magic him there.