Universal Credit claim - please help! Posting for traffic.

[ComingUpTrumps]

Hi,

I'm posting for traffic - hope that's okay! :)

I put in a claim today for Universal Credit (the service that's now replaced benefits). As part of my claim, I've been asked to verify my identity. There are a list of companies listed who verify claimants' identities for no charge - I've tried two of them just now, and neither has worked, perhaps because I don't have a driving licence or any credit cards, so I don't have enough information for my identity to be verified.

I'm just wondering, because I haven't been able to verify my identity, if my application to claim Universal Credit will still be processed?

Thanks everyone! :)

Anyone?

At a complete guess, no.

I'm assuming you are trying to claim online rather than in person at a job centre? I would guess that as they can't verify your identity online, they won't accept the online claim, and you would need to do it in person with other ID?

As I said this is a complete guess, and hopefully someone who knows will be along soon.

Claim online. If you have no id they'll book an evidence appointment for you.

I work for a finance company, if we can't verify a customers identity with an electronic search like the ones you've run we ask for physical documents, I have no experience of benefit claims but I would hope they will also accept physical documents? Do you have a passport? Again I can't speak for benefit office, but we ask for something like passport or driving licence for identity and something like a utility bill or bank statement for address. Is there a helpline to call and ask what else they'll accept?

Maybe call the helpline where you made the claim and explain the problem?

Hi Trumps, I have some training in benefits and UC and have not heard of this issue before! The application requires you to provide Nat Ins no., Tenancy, bank acc, etc. But drivers license or passport are not prerequisites (are you not a British citizen? Or have you been out of the country in the last two years?) I suggest you call your local citizens advice or the Universal Credit helpline. As more info is needed to give you proper advice.

All I can glean.

*FOI request has elicited somewhat vague answer but does give a bit of hope for those without the docs:

“In circumstances where UC claimants cannot produce sufficient or original identity documents their identity can still be verified and a decision made on the information provided. We will consider the documentation the claimant does have, and whether the explanation given for not being able to provide any of the documents listed in the guidance is considered to be reasonable in the circumstances (for example, fled due to domestic violence or documents destroyed by fire). These circumstances should not be confused with those where the customer has simply forgotten to provide documentation, which they are able to obtain and provide later. The requirement to provide documentation will not be waived where it is known that it can be provided. In addition biographical security questions and/or checks will be used where there is no documentation and the claimant cannot obtain it*

That's from 2015 though so no idea if it's been updated.

They don't make it easy do they?

why not gather up all id you may have, go to job centre and ask them?

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/interview/prepare-for-your-interview/

Looks like it might delay your application while the job Canterbury out checks if you don't have photo id.

Centre not canterbury!

Thanks for your help everyone! :) I've got a passport and National Insurance card, so I'll head to my local job centre tomorrow to see if they can verify me there. Hopefully it'll work!

I went through this today! Called the universal credit helpline and I have booked an interview next week where they have asked me to bring in certain documents.

Hi sorry for such a late post but im going through this just now I wasn't able to verify my details online either so im going to phone tomorrow and try book an app I just wondered how you got on? What documents did you have to take? Ive heard this process is a nightmare cant believe I ever complained about tax credits