UC Desperation

I am writing in desperation. I live with partner who is 71 and gets state pension. I received managed migration letter. I was on ESA in support group and PIP. I tried to find out if we could get Pension Credit as on housing benefit before 2019 with no break in claim but got nowhere. As migration date deadline was fast approaching I had no choice but to start UC claim even though I knew I couldn't manage it. I also got PIP renewal claim through at same time and due to many other stressors I have going on at same time it's too much. I did my UC Credit online and partner did his. We both got a message saying we had successfully proved our identity online followed by another message saying we had failed and would have to have a biographical interview. My partner who doesn't know how to use online services got a message late on Sunday evening to say the interview had been booked for 12 noon Monday. The call came but the man from the jobcentre had not set up call properly and couldn't be heard. Eventually he did something and then commenced the biographical interview. When he had done that he asked my partner about PIP. He has a 10 year award due to age. He told him he needed to go on to UC journal and report health conditions. He wanted him to do it whilst on the phone which was impossible as it has to send codes to log on and impossible to be filling out all your health information whilst on the phone and he can't do online things anyway. He said we had to go on the journal and do it and he would ring back after 4.30pm We went on journal and wrote a list of health conditions. He rung back at 4.30pm and said he now has to go on journal and report a change of circumstances. He asked why but the man couldn't or wouldn't explain and said it is for his benefit as he might get extra money. I thought we were just migrating across. Our circumstances are the same. Why are we forced to report a change of circumstances. Again he wanted this doing there and then but it couldn't be done. He went on to the journal it said to put the exact date these change of circumstances occured but didn't know what to put or what change of circumstances. He ended up pressing cancel change of circumstances and don't know if it has cancelled whole claim! Can't cope. Had tried to get help from Help to Claim line who are not used at all and just tell you to call DWP. Local Citizens Advice won't offer advice on U C issues. We both have mental health problems and I have autism and we have lot of other disabilities. It has caused so much stress and misery and I am screaming all the time. I can't cope anymore. My partner is very angry with me as I don't want to carry on with the claim. I can't live anymore like this there is no help anywhere for anyone. I don't understand how this is managed migration when we are being asked to report a change of circumstances. Just as an endnote I tried ringing Help to Clam line one more time. Hanging on an hour. Got through went through problem only for him to cut me off while speaking interrupted with a survey of how I well I thought they had dealt with the problem. They are just like the DWP.

Hi David
Yes they received Enhanced Daily Living. They have been told they need to supply fit notes. They are in their 70s and have a number of health problems. I don't think either of us will get UC. The DWP said he didn't need fit notes but now he has to get them or we won't be paid it states on latest journal entry. I cannot believe this counts as managed migration from ESA

I am sorry that the Help to Claim Service and your local CAB weren't helpful. Are there other advice agencies in your area such as a Welfare Rights Unit or Age UK that you could contact for support?