Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

With how job centre treated me

42 replies

refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:33

I'm disabled and fled domestic abuse, the person was arrested. I don't have my documents with me. I had an appointment today with the job centre, explained I'm disabled and the full situation of why I dont have any physical proof of identity. That I left it all behind. I had ID on my phone which they wouldnt accept as its not physical. Banking, rail card, photo of NI. Wouldnt accept them. I have a residency agreement but they required 3 forms of ID. They closed the appointment and told me I had to leave. I went to sit down to book a taxi which I payed for with the little cash I have. They walked over amd told me I'm not getting UC because I dont have ID and told me to leave again but said no problem when I explained I was booking a taxi.
I used up my emergency grant that I got on friday, not imagining that they would turn me away in my circumstances. I thought I would get an advancement, but they havent done anything at all.
My homeless worker is trying to see what she can do.
Im worried sick

OP posts:
monicagellerbing · 28/12/2022 16:35

Can you contact Women's Aid for advice? Surely the Job Centre must have a procedure for this sort of situation, sorry you're having to go through this Flowers

misssunshine4040 · 28/12/2022 16:36

The job centre are usually so black and white with very little common sense.
It's very frustrating that you can't access anything because you don't have your documents.
Will you be able to access them or get copies soon?
What forms of ID are they requiring? Will you be able to access another grant until your documents can be accessed?

MichelleScarn · 28/12/2022 16:37

Do you need to apply for uc through iob Centre? Can you not just apply on line? Who helped with emergency grant, can they help again?

BethJ62 · 28/12/2022 16:39

That’s very strange . I used to work in a JC and there are special procedures for customers in your situation. Unfortunately it is not a rare situation .
You should have asked to see a manager .

Original poster
refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:40

MichelleScarn · 28/12/2022 16:37

Do you need to apply for uc through iob Centre? Can you not just apply on line? Who helped with emergency grant, can they help again?

I tried online then got a message in my journal about an appointment to prove my identity, which I went to today. But then all the above happened and I'm now worried about my welfare. I have food in but need to buy more soon and I cant live on air.

OP posts:
Pugdogmom · 28/12/2022 16:41

refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:33

I'm disabled and fled domestic abuse, the person was arrested. I don't have my documents with me. I had an appointment today with the job centre, explained I'm disabled and the full situation of why I dont have any physical proof of identity. That I left it all behind. I had ID on my phone which they wouldnt accept as its not physical. Banking, rail card, photo of NI. Wouldnt accept them. I have a residency agreement but they required 3 forms of ID. They closed the appointment and told me I had to leave. I went to sit down to book a taxi which I payed for with the little cash I have. They walked over amd told me I'm not getting UC because I dont have ID and told me to leave again but said no problem when I explained I was booking a taxi.
I used up my emergency grant that I got on friday, not imagining that they would turn me away in my circumstances. I thought I would get an advancement, but they havent done anything at all.
My homeless worker is trying to see what she can do.
Im worried sick

This is an appalling way to be treated. They should have protocols for this very thing. I would phone UC and complain about this. Do you have a journal you can log into or was it a telephone claim, as you can register your complaint on your journal. I would also contact a Women's Aid support worker also.

ASimpleLampoon · 28/12/2022 16:41

I'm m so sorry. This is awful. Maybe the police can help you get your docs back?

Original poster
refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:41

misssunshine4040 · 28/12/2022 16:36

The job centre are usually so black and white with very little common sense.
It's very frustrating that you can't access anything because you don't have your documents.
Will you be able to access them or get copies soon?
What forms of ID are they requiring? Will you be able to access another grant until your documents can be accessed?

I dont know because I've already had one. I used it up not even thinking the job centre would do this.

OP posts:
ASimpleLampoon · 28/12/2022 16:44

Where in the country are you? Maybe someone knows a fcommunity pantry co food bank. I live in a deprived area and there's quite a few things people can access. Have used the community pantry myself quite a few times..

Original poster
refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:44

BethJ62 · 28/12/2022 16:39

That’s very strange . I used to work in a JC and there are special procedures for customers in your situation. Unfortunately it is not a rare situation .
You should have asked to see a manager .

Funnily enough the person i had the appointment with went to speak to the manager and explained my situation but I was still turned away!

OP posts:
Mamamia7962 · 28/12/2022 16:45

Could you contact the arresting officer and explain the situation and the documents you need. They could send an officer round to get them.

MichelleScarn · 28/12/2022 16:47

Agree to approach homeless worker and women's aid for food Bank referral.

Angeldelight81 · 28/12/2022 16:48

This happened to a friend of mine, only not over a proof of identity. They sent an access code to her old mobile number. She had most definitely updated them because they were texting her on her new number usually and actually texted her on her new number to let her know she was not getting her universal credit because they texted the code to her old number.

They are like a parallel universe. I’m so pleased that you have support and please do lean upon your support because I don’t know how anybody could navigate that system single-handedly.

Original poster
refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:49

I'm in glasgow

OP posts:
TheLittlestLightOnTheXmasTree · 28/12/2022 16:49

Any local food banks?

Who are you staying with?

Dartmoorcheffy · 28/12/2022 16:50

Whereabouts are you . There will be homeless charities and women's aid that can help.

Dartmoorcheffy · 28/12/2022 16:51

Ah sorry x post. Opposite end of the country to me. But I'm sure some posters on here will have knowledge of your area and the groups that can help.

StrawberryWater · 28/12/2022 16:54

You need a better advocate for you, your homeless worker doesn’t sound like she’s doing much to help. There’s plenty the JC can do. You also need to speak to a proper JC manager (so someone above an EO/HEO like an SEO).

TimeSlipMushroom · 28/12/2022 16:55

Sorry this is happening yo you. Often local churches will have contacts who can help with food etc so might be worth contacting your local one.

Original poster
refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:56

I live with my children

OP posts:
idsisatwat · 28/12/2022 16:59

There are domestic violence easements that can be applied to your claim (so you don't have to look for work).
But first the claim needs to be accepted/processed. They should not have sent you away.
I'd contact your local partnership manager (preferably get your domestic abuse or homelessness worker to do it on your behalf)

www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-partnerships/national-partnership-teams

oviraptor21 · 28/12/2022 16:59

If you don't have sufficient physical ID you should be given a biographical ID interview. It takes longer and is usually specifically booked in so maybe the slot you had wasn't long enough but you should have been told about it and offered it, not just turned away. Can you call the UC helpline 0800 328 5644 and ask them about it?

GracePooleslaugh · 28/12/2022 17:00

Women's Aid can help with this, I used to work in Housing Benefit and WA would issue a letter that was accepted as ID.

Please speak to WA

flameprincess · 28/12/2022 17:07

I'm not sure why this happened to you, I used to work on UC and we specifically do biographical interviews for this very situation. We often have people just come out of prison who have nothing to their name and it's a simple interview where you are asked some questions based on what information the DWP have on you e.g your last address, the last benefit you claimed. I can't fathom why a biographical appointment wasn't booked for you? Or why both the work coach you saw AND the manager didn't sort this out? Between Christmas and New Year they have staff taken off other business specifically to do these i.d interviews.

MichelleScarn · 28/12/2022 17:08

refuge123 · 28/12/2022 16:49

I'm in glasgow

Where in Glasgow and how old are your kids? I know people who work in this sector up there who can let me know what's there for you?