To be annoyed at universal credit?

[Hippi290]

I was recently made redundant from a company that I had worked at for 15 years.
So I had to claim UC.

I've applied for everything I can,obviously it's really difficult to survive on UC alone.

I've had a few offers of employment, but they have wanted photo ID which I do not have and I literally have nobody that I know who countersign any ID. I have really tried to think of anybody.

I sent a message to my advisor telling them that I had no photo ID and that I was struggling to get a job or find someone to countersign. And I got a message back saying they could countersign for me and to take forms to them. So I was pretty happy that it would make it so much easier to find a job.
But when I tried to confirm it with them I got another message saying, sorry this isn't something we can do 😔 am I wrong to be upset that they got my hopes up that they could help with getting a job?
Also is it possible I'll be able to find a job with photo ID ? I have a birth certificate

Someone from your previous job can surely countersign, you were there 15 years.

You don't necessarily need a counter signature. But as said someone from your old work could do it. 'A person of good standing' is quite a wide net and tbh if you are British born to British parents, then a relative via an in-law etc could do it. But if you are British from generations back, fill in the part for people who haven't got anyone to counter signature. You'll still be issued a passport. While you aren't working you are missing out on pension contributions. Eventually you will need photo ID, I'd sort it out now.

Honestly I fail to believe that there is nobody at all in your life that can countersign for you.

Why wouldn’t you do the obvious thing and apply for a photo ID? Yeh it’s annoying you was told the wrong thing but to be annoyed at them is a bit silly, you know what the obvious thing to do is yet your going round in circles delaying the process. You could of probably saved time by just applying for a photo ID

You should be making a complaint about this as you won't be the only, person they are giving this sort of 'advice' to.

Op could your doctor sign a photo for identification purposes??? My son got a letter from the local council when he voted, its valid for 10 years. Good luck UC are a right pain in the rear at times x

Your job coach has direct access to the 'Flexible Fund' for this low level of expenditure and the fund is there specifically to aid your search / entry into work. Ask and they can transfer money into your account then and there at your next JC appointment. You will probably be asked to show the receipt for the purchase of photo ID in order than any monies paid are not deducted from your UC as a loan. Apply for a provisional driving licence, as this is probably the easiest way to do this.https://www.gov.uk/id-for-driving-licence and there are lots of options for who can sign your photograph https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories

bizarrely not needed - we have twins just did two

actually now realise photo sig not needed due to them having a passport

Have you got an expired UK passport? That's fine to use for ID for permission to work reasons. I used mine for years!

You do if you haven't got a valid passport.

If you're a British Citizen, you only require proof of National Insurance and your full birth certificate. You do not need photo ID.

www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work

Not really the answer here but I wish we had ID cards. I was part of a project with the govenment who were looking at it a number of years ago. They lost their nerve. Too many people to upset but bearing in mind that the Home Secetary is saying she will be diverting 1000 people to look at the car washes, nail bars and barbers and who they employ maybe it would help. They have been untouched for years!

What about a copy of the birth certifcate taken to the PO along with the orignal. They can then say its a true copy of the orginal. I did this sort of thing many times when I didnt want to send orginals to organisations (because they would lose them and then claim they didnt get them in the first place!)

Hi op, if you have children who are in childcare the nursery manger can sign as they're a Member of a professional body (Ofsted). I've countersigned before as I'm an Ofsted registered childminder.or any childminders live near you that you know?

Yeah, that would annoy me, too.

Technically speaking, anyone 'of good standing' and British can countersign for you, but it's down to the opinion of the Passport Officer of what's "good standing" so can be a bit tricky.

However, the new photo voting ID cards are free and you don't need anything other than a photo and NI number to get one. If you get offered a job that insists on photo ID (which they shouldn't, really, as PP have said) you could use that?

Apply for a citizens card they are cheap , you could try your old managers or a friend , they will either accept it or ask you to find someone else .

So frustrating for you, @Hippi290

You can apply for some free photo ID here
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

might be worth applying for that and also explaining the situation to the place that have offered you a job to show that while you don’t have it (and photo ID isn’t a legal requirement in the UK) you are doing all you can to “play ball” but won’t immediately be able to get the ID to them. Lots of work places are ok for you to work a couple of weeks before presenting the photo ID (I know because I am forgetful so a few places I have worked there has been delay on me showing it!)

good luck and congrats of the job offer

@Hippi290 you said your doctor and dentist won’t countersign - but it can be a neighbour or friend who’s known you for more than 2 years (taken from the .gov site). What about a former work colleague or previous HR at old company?

Umm mine wasnt. Admittedly it is 10 years out of date, but they were adamant they could not use it. And that's local authority.

You are fortunate that you can afford to buy a passport just for ID purposes.

Yes, this. Or you can ask a neighbour. I think you are overthinking the issue.

Do you have children in nursery or school? A teacher might help?

They're useless. Don't know their arse from someone else's elbow.
I'd be trying to tell that Ross fella he has to do it, he literally promised you. Even if he literally does it on his lunch break, outside of working hours!?
It's not fair for him to bs you like that.

Could a director at the company you worked for sign it? Some firms allow directors of Ltd companies

This 😂
One of the daftest questions I've seen.