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UC IDENTITY CRISIS

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1 day 3 hours ago #303806 by pokitoki
UC IDENTITY CRISIS was created by pokitoki
Hello I'm very afraid I need help please. I was on income-related ESA and got told to migrate to UC. I left it off for a long time and people kept ringing and coming round to knock on my door, so i finally put in my claim as it was scaring me. I suffer from schizophrenia and live alone.

I put my claim in and input my passport and provisional drivers license after double checking it. And in the journal I told them I have different needs and that phone calls, face to face, and traveling cause me a lot of harm and I need all contact in writing. The lady replied with they need to do a phone call or face to face to verify my ID, or i will need an appointee or my claim cannot proceed. I don't feel safe with an appointee as they could take control of me, so I felt like I had to take the phone call because I was scare my benefits will end, they tricked me into taking it.

I told them I wasn't sure what would happen to me because i'm ill, but i will try to do the phone call. On the phone she did something to me and then said sorry we can't do the biographical because the system locked us out, we'll arrange a home visit. It just really really upset me. They tricked me.

I put in a complaint, but I didn't think it did anything. The man in the UC journal signposted me to mental health support like SHOUT because of something things I wrote. But I can't contact those people because my schizophrenia stops me. I'm very isolated and don't want to talk to anyone, it's not safe. He asked if i have a carer organization that he could contact and i could use them as a third party to verify me with letters. But my only carer is my mum and she can't speak english. I told him i already put my passport and drivers license in, and that it's clear they're doing this on purpose to me. They don't want me to continue my claim, and this is what he wronte:
"I want to assure you that we are not going to be closing your benefit claim without cause, and we are trying to explore every option we have to get your claim verified and in payment. The adjustments we can make to clear this for you are as follows: A third party / appointee you know, acting on your behalf. A home visit, made by our visiting team. An appointee from a local authority, put in place for you, to act on your behalf. Based on the feedback you have provided I believe the last option is all we have left to us."

But I already said multiple times I don't feel safe with an appointee especially one i don't know. I'm just co confused and desperate. I told them I've been on ESA for so many years and have many letters and I'm on enhanced pip for daily living and mobility and I can send in my letters as proof but he never acknowledges that. He ignores somethings i say completely, and doesn't answer some questions and requests. I asked to be escalated to a disability team or the manage and he ignores those messages.

I don't know what to do. I want to go back to ESA, but they won't let me. I'm scared of what to do. If my benefits stop I don't know what i'll do. I feel so desperate. I can't cope properly.
I can't do any of the options he gave me and he said it was the last option. Please what am I supposed to do. Can someone tell me what to say, how do I go forward? They trapped me. I don't talk to my GP. I've been getting by ok for so many years alone. I don't know what to do. What are they going to do to me.

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17 hours 49 minutes ago #303828 by David
Replied by David on topic UC IDENTITY CRISIS
Hi pokitoki

You could get some one else to take your ID to the Jobcentre for you. You could arrange this through the UC Journal.
You could ask for Quiet Room in the Jobcentre for the meeting as this other Forum member did---
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/kunena/10-dla-...tment-request#301714

Otherwise it would have to be a Home Visit by one of the DWP Visiting Team.

Let me know how you get on.
David

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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15 hours 49 minutes ago #303852 by pokitoki
Replied by pokitoki on topic UC IDENTITY CRISIS
I can't do any of those. I can't cope

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