Anyone else having technical issues with Universal Credit online application?

[SmileyClare]

Is anyone else stressed out trying to apply online? We have no option to apply for this until we hear anything back from HMRC about money we might receive in June.. both self employed and up shit creek with no money.

I'm having difficulties verifying identity online. Using a company called Digidentity which the UC website directed me to. It's supposed to send confirmation codes to my mobile but been waiting 3 hours and no codes

The online support / help is not functioning.

Feel like giving up and sobbing. UC was going to be our lifeline.

Can you go back to the application, complete without sending your ID, you should then be set up with your online account and send a message through your online journal or call them up?

Thanks will attempt to send a message through my online journal. I tried the phone number and was 7,500th in the queue

Have now received a confirmation code (text) and put it into the Digidentity website.

They now say they are unable to proceed because there isn't enough data from credit bureaus to verify me. This is because I don't have credit in my name. I just have one bank account, no mortgage, a pay as you go no contract phone.

No idea how I can proceed now. I cannot submit a Universal Credit application without verifying identity.
Please does anyone know how to navigate this?

What a fucking palava.

You're able to complete the application without online verification but that again will take time, OP.

I have completed the online application (without identity verification) I'm not sure if this will be looked at or processed.

Thanks for replying. I'm a self employed cleaner with two children and I was managing week to week with the money I had coming in. There is supposed to be help for self employed coming in June but until then I have £30 to my name.

Feel absolutely desperate. Really don't know where to turn.

If you've sent a message on your universal Credit journal you will get a call back. The people processing benefits are swamped at the moment and doing everything they can to help everyone.

That's reassuring Spaceman I hope so. I thought my claim would be ignored until I could verify identity but perhaps
it will be in the system now.
The whole system will be groaning under the pressure I do get that. I'm trying to stay calm and be adult instead of lying on my bed sobbing! Thanks for replying.

Sorry, but sounds like the system is completely overloaded atm

I hope they get round to everyone here very soon 💐

Universal credit: 'almost impossible' to complete claim as more than 500,000 apply

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/26/universal-credit-claims-almost-impossible-as-more-than-500000-apply

Hi! I'm also applying for UC due to uncertainty of how long this coronavirus situation will last. I work in TV and Film and all projects have been postponed until later this year :(
My code for UC came straight away, my hubby's - we tried 4 times in 3 hours and it came through with 1 minute to spare (code expires in 1 hour). Once we both completed the forms, within 20 minutes I had an update on my account with an arrangement for a phone call (they will call me on 16th of April) and questions about our income for the year.
I'm now awaiting for my identity check with Digidentity - had to take a picture of myself and my driving licence. Every step on the identity website takes about 4 minutes to load and I was disconnected several times. At the moment it says it will take about 1 hour and 16 minutes to verify uploaded pic and licence.
I believe all these delays are due to overload of applications from desperate people. It is a truly sad situation... :(

Glad you've had some success with applying Happy I can't seem to get past the stage with Digidentity after I've given my name, address and confirmed my email and phone number. It says it cannot verify my identity and ends the account application. I've got a UK passport, photo license etc but can't progress to that fucking section.

The UC website says it cannot complete my application without ID verification.

Hopefully this is a glitch with their website because they're inundated. Feel like throwing my laptop out of the window to be honest!
Will keep trying..
God knows how people who aren't at all tech savvy will be able to navigate this.

May I suggest that you try early in the morning on Monday?
Would you try again going through UC webpage and this time saying ''driving licence''? That is what I did. I was then prompted to enter my credit card details on that identity checking website (raised eyebrow) and other questions connected to my credit history (like when I have taken out my personal loan).
As of now my ID check is not finalized (even though it said 1 hour and 20 minutes) - I get a message popping out saying it might take extra 12 hours?..
Just keep trying! Do not forget it is not your or your laptops fault - it is the massive overload of applications and that IT might not work flawlessly.
Don't give up - let us know how you are doing :) There is always a solution

Thank you. You've made me feel a bit more optimistic I will try your approach. I hope you get yours finalised soon. Let's hope the actual processing of a submitted claim happens sometime before Christmas.

I have managed to resist hurling my laptop across the room so far.

The online verification often doesn't work at the best of times. leave a message on your journal asking them to ring you for your ID appointment and they will ring you back and do it on the phone. have every form of Id you possess to hand - driving licence, passport, bank card, childrens birth certificates etc

That's useful info. Thank you. It would be a hell of a lot easier to bypass this Digidentity if at all possible. Fully expecting a VERY long wait for a call back.
Going to try everything possible.

It has been nearly 24 hours and my ID verification is stuck at 95%
If it will not change by Wednesday, I will too leave journal entry as on UC application it said that ID check should be performed before 2 April

It's really frustrating isn't it? There was a news article today saying that the online verification companies are causing a massive bottle neck in the UC claims process.

My Digidentity account stops after email confirmation and won't load next page.

I too have left a message on journal asking for a phone interview, although it says if I don't make an appointment by the 12th April my application is cancelled and I will have to start again.

Horrible feeling I'm stuck in a vicious circle!

Can you verify via the post office? I found that to be the easiest way

Hi Whyisit sorry for being an idiot but please could you explain how? Do you know which ID documents The Post Office accept?
I noticed that UC use the post office online but for some reason it keeps telling me to use Digidentity.

I have found this: ''Not everyone will be able to verify their identity online. Don’t worry if you can’t – you will be contacted to let you know what happens next'' on the following website

www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/making-a-claim/how-to-claim/

I did this quite some time ago and can’t remember - I think passport and some financial information from my wage slip but I got annoyed with the other methods and found the PO easiest! Might be worth a try?

Thank you.

And thanks for the link. It's quite difficult not to worry! Our self employed income has suddenly dropped to zero. And not much idea when we can start earning again. Clearly there are hundreds of thousands in the same boat and we've all tried to jump on UC at the same time...And now it's a bit broken.

I wake up in a cold sweat most nights worrying how we'll manage.

I will never moan about going to work again

@WhyIsIt
Can you please elaborate? I have looked on the Royal mail website and it seems to take you back to UC account? Do I just show up in post office?..

@SmileyClare
I have applied for a job at Tesco for ''an immediate'' start a week ago - no response. I suppose a lot of people had the same idea...
I did feel waves of panic, but as the situation is out of my control, I'm just looking for any solutions like claiming income tax back for this year (not much, but it is something), UC, partial council tax reduction, I even broke into my piggy bank
There are number of things you can do - a lot of filling the claim forms, talk to your bank and get overdraft, increase credit card limit, ask for mortgage or/and loan 3 month holidays, I'm not sure, but as self-employed you can claim grant for taxable 80% of year's profits

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Thanks, yes you're right. There's no point losing my head over this. We can probably limp along until some HMRC payment in June. My parents have offered to help but they're pensioners and I feel terrible to ask.

I've phoned our utilities and deferred some bills and we will have to let our rent stack up and get into arrears unfortunately. Most companies are being fairly understanding.
Obviously, we will be in a lot of debt after this. Gulp.

Well done applying to Tescos! Needs must eh?
I have signed up to a recruitment agency called Reed and there is a job in our local One Stop shop. Not sure how this would affect a UC claim but it's minimum wage so I think we'd still qualify for help.
It does say on the UC statement that we have to be looking for work and take anything offered.? Not sure if those conditions apply during a pandemic.

UC does depend on earnings, however it also depends on the whole financial situation of the household. I believe, when you will get a call from UC, you can ask about grant as self-employed. Ask as many questions as you can - I suggest to write those on a piece of paper.
Yes, same here - I can last until June. My parents too offered some financial help, I know they will give me last piece of bread even, if it means they will starve. I hope I would not have to ask them.
I think due to pandemic there will be no need to look for a job. Job opportunities are very limited (most likely food related like shops, deliveries) and sending/making people work will mean higher risks of spreading the virus...