With how job centre treated me

[refuge123]

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

I dont understand it either. I thought they would help me, I was told by Womens aid that its ok I dont have physical ID as the job centre would be able to do something well they havent, i havent been able to contact womens aid for a week theyre also closed till 4th of jan. I have just got my homeless worker to speak to.

If you’re in Glasgow it’s worth speaking to social work. They can help with hardship financial support and with your benefits claim. Give children and families a call during office hours.

Never just spend away an emergency grant because you think you'll just get more, if they've given you one then they are unlikely to give you another so quickly again. I'd say a food bank was your best bet. Did you get any disability benefits or anything else before fleeing domestic abuse? I agree with the above advice, women's aid will help hopefully.

@refuge123 are you on Facebook? Join 'help the homeless Glasgow' group. Here's a screenshot of where you can go for help re food bank and hot meal.

Glasgow women's aid have also been active on Facebook yesterday. Who told you they are closed?

You support worker should be able to advise you how to get access to your things, under police escort if required. The job very true cannot proceed without proof you are who you say you are and should have told you how to get your documents

How dare they treat you like this, paper documents can be regot later this is shocking I was terrified before going to my first interview but luckily I was very well treated and safe now. I pray you get all the help you need and are entitled too. Hugs.

The jobcentre are bastards and I've been at their mercy several times (I'm disabled also).
They should have done alot more for you. You're in my thoughts xxx
Yes to women's aid. They were brilliant with me and they can help advocate for things like this.

Make an application to the Scottish Welfare Fund via the council website. They should give you a grant to last until you get the UC stuff sorted, your homeless caseworker should be able to help with this too. My DH works in this field, put the application in today and someone will assess tomorrow. Make sure you fully explain that you have no ID due to fleeing from violence, and give them the arresting officers details/crime ref no. I hope things get better for you soon.

www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17160

Also try get the application in today if you can as the office will be closing 1st-4th Jan xx

Depending on where you live can you get to the Hielanman's Umbrella. Homeless Project Scotland do a food bank thing in the evening. They don't ask for documents.

This is disgraceful, as other posters have said they can do a biographical ID check if you have no documents.

one thing you can do is call Citizens advice help to claim line - they can support you in speaking to the job centre and getting the biographical ID check arranged and support you through the process (and help make a complaint if needed)

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/

good luck op

Are you eligible to ESA and PIP? Both of these benefits mean you are not required to go to the job centre and deal with their rubbish!

Im disabled through long term health conditions and was forced to keep going to sign on through job seekers even when I explained i wasn’t employable. Many many sanctions later I showed up to my appointment sick (throwing up and a total mess) and they was like “job seekers isn’t for you! You need ESA as nobody can employ you like this!” The most annoying part is that I enquired about ESA years before and they said I was not eligible but as soon as they deemed Job seekers unfit, I was suddenly eligible for ESA!

That being my case I applied for PIP and was refused about twice and appealed the last time and won, they will make you go to medical check up to assess your disability but otherwise they job centre is no longer a part. I also don’t remember being asked for any physical ID, I have never used my NI card, just always memorised the number and repeated back. Thing is I have always got some form of ID on me should it come up but I don’t think it has and if they do ask it will be asked via post or some other non physical form which you already have.

@refuge123 have you been able to find the fb pages.? Can try and link to them if not
.

You love with your children? Grown up children?

*live!!!

How are things @refuge123 did you manage to get food parcel/bank referral etc?