Questions about the upcoming UC biographical appointment I have scheduled for this Thursday.

danielbryan94

On Thursday 15th June, I applied for Universal Credit for the first time. I'm 28 years old, and I've never been employed my whole life. I'm currently on enhanced PIP because of my cognitive and physical disabilities, and I receive £691 a month from it. I applied for Universal Credit just because I wanted more money in my bank account. This morning, I received an email from Universal Credit, saying that I have a scheduled biographical appointment this Thursday at 9:25am. I have a few questions I want to ask before it takes place.

1. How long does the biographical appointment call usually take?

2. Would I be allowed help from at least one of my parents in answering the questions the person conducting the appointment asks in case I struggle with the answer?

3. In the "Proof of your identity" segment of the "Prepare for and attend your Biographical appointment by phone" page, will I need documents from both of the lists that say "Bring 1 of the following" and "Bring 2 of the following"? I've lived in the UK my whole life, and I currently assume that the "Bring 1 of the following" list is only for people who immigrated to the UK.

4. Is "Proof of your EU settled status" only for people who immigrated to the UK?

poppy123456

1/ Shouldn't be too long, 10-15 minutes, potentially longer. You will need to agree to your claimant commiments too.

2/ Yes, you can have one of your parents with you for suppoort.

3/ Passport/Driving license or bank card will be fine.

4/ Proof of settled status doesn't apply to you if you were born in the UK.

Did you report your health condition when you claimed? If so then you'll need to make sure that you provide a fit note within 7 days of that and continue to send them without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment.

danielbryan94

poppy123456 said:

1/ Shouldn't be too long, 10-15 minutes, potentially longer. You will need to agree to your claimant commiments too.

2/ Yes, you can have one of your parents with you for suppoort.

3/ Passport/Driving license or bank card will be fine.

4/ Proof of settled status doesn't apply to you if you were born in the UK.

Did you report your health condition when you claimed? If so then you'll need to make sure that you provide a fit note within 7 days of that and continue to send them without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment.

No I've never sent a fit note. Would I need to send one, even if I've been unemployed my whole life? Would I also need to send in fit notes every 7 days?

poppy123456

If your health condition limits your capability to work then yes you will need to report your health condition. You will then need to report a fit note within 7 days of reporting your health condition. How often you will need to send them will depend on how long the date is for on the fit note.

Being unemployed your whole life makes no difference. When claiming UC you're classed as a job seeker until a decision is made on your work capability assessment. It's a work coaches discretion to either turn off or reduce work commiments while you wait for a decision. Some do and others don't.

Have a read of this link and it will give you some information about claiming UC with a health condition. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

danielbryan94

danielbryan94 said:

poppy123456 said:

1/ Shouldn't be too long, 10-15 minutes, potentially longer. You will need to agree to your claimant commiments too.

2/ Yes, you can have one of your parents with you for suppoort.

3/ Passport/Driving license or bank card will be fine.

4/ Proof of settled status doesn't apply to you if you were born in the UK.

Did you report your health condition when you claimed? If so then you'll need to make sure that you provide a fit note within 7 days of that and continue to send them without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment.

No I've never sent a fit note. Would I need to send one, even if I've been unemployed my whole life? Would I also need to send in fit notes every 7 days?

Do you think it's best if I do the fit note before my phone call on Thursday?

poppy123456

You need to report a change of circumstances first. Then click "health condition" then report it through there. You will then need a fit note within 7 days of that.

The sooner you do this the better because once a decision is made on your work capability assessment if found to have LCWRA the extra money is paid from the 4th month after you reported your health condition.(supported by a fit note)

Alex_Alumni

How have things been going @danielbryan94, was the phone call alright?

OverlyAnxious

I can't advise on the assessment process but just wanted to add that Universal Credit isn't just useful for more money in your account. 

It also gives you national insurance which is needed for the state pension if & when you reach that age.