Universal Credit... tenancy agreement SOS

worryworm95

Hi Scopers! I'm new here so I don't 100% know what I'm doing but I feel like I might be able to get some advice vis a vis universal credit stuff so here goes.
I left my job last week as an agency teaching assistant at a school due to stress (I suffer from anxiety which I take medication for and this was a mutual agreement with my lovely line manager), whilst this had more to do with the role I was in and the workplace itself than the actual job (if that makes sense, I really enjoy working with kids and in schools but couldn't face the intensity of the role I was in which was more intervention based). I did not get a sick note before leaving as I was still working but struggling, however at the job centre today they said I should bring in a sick note from my doctor to prove I had to leave due to stress and anxiety- which I'm happy to do. However they also asked for me to come back in and show an updated tenancy agreement as the one I brought in expired this September (I signed it in 2022 before it became a rolling contract) has anyone else had this issue before? I realise dealing with the DWP isn't a walk in the park by any means and this sort of thing happens alot with regards to people applying for housing cost support. And does anyone have any advice for dealing with a self employment assessment- I declared I was self employed as I guessed they would find out from HMRC anyway but I have to go to a separate appointment for that and was wondering whether it could be done on the phone or online instead? I'm wondering if I should mention this as well to my GP to see if it's worth me getting a note for. I'm also wondering if I should delay this second ID appointment so I have more time to gather evidence if I need too (on top of DWP stuff I am applying for jobs and trying to get trial shifts so I can start in the New Year/Mid-Jan).
On top of my anxiety I also have autism and this means I struggle to process alot of information when in an anxious state/stressed and struggled at the JC today when they started asking me 10000 questions about hours I worked/ why I left my job/ if I got fired etc . Again I realise there's a reason the DWP has these procedures in place but I'm just seeking some reassurance from fellow autism havers and people who have been in similar situations before? Is it worth applying for in the end and is there any success stories? PS: I have asked for a reasonable adjustment to be made already (quiet space).
Thank you in advance,
WorryWorm

MW123

@worryworm95

Just wanted to say hello and welcome. Although I cannot offer advice on your questions, I'm optimistic that someone with the relevant knowledge will join the conversation to offer you assistance. Use this moment you find yourself in to unwind, and I sincerely hope that, free from the pressures of work, you'll begin to feel a bit better.

worryworm95

@TheManFromLondon I see! Thank you so much!  do you have any advice on how I can ask for this without mentioning UC. Thank you for your insight/ advice! 

Jimm_Scope

I find it odd they refuse such contracts, because they have clauses in them already explaining that it turns into a rolling contract. Sometimes Landlords can be fairly slow in responding as well. Which would likely also mean you're mentioning applying for benefits to your landlord, while they cannot legally discriminate against people on benefits we all know it happens. Feels like creating more hoops and difficulties to jump through from my point of view.

Jimm_Scope

While it's true landlords likely aren't going to evict someone just because they're now claiming benefits, as long as the money keeps coming in there shouldn't be an issue.

But I have seen some landlords with horrible prejudice against benefits claimants, so I understand why people are nervous about mentioning it to their landlord.

Do you have a letting agency you can go through? I find they are, on average, much more understanding.

worryworm95

@Jimm_Scope yes I have a lettings agency ! I'll drop a line to both them and my landlord , apparantley this is a frequent problem with DWP.

JakeF

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/767660#Comment_767660

JakeF

Hi, i am in the same boat ( LCWRA) Autism. Could you tell me what your 1 page renewal/ contact contains for it to satisy UC, because i have to do this myself as i am moving on the 13th June, but do not have a written tenancy agreement for the new property just a verbal agreement.

Kind regards

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/864785#Comment_864785

May I ask why you do not have a tenancy agreement for the new property? Is it because you're renting from a family member?

worryworm95

@JakeF my landlord wrote me a letter just saying how long I'd lived at the property and that it was a rolling contract! I didn't get a 'renewal' contract as such after the 2nd year of living at my flat (due to the fact that it's a rolling contract). But seeing as you're moving ask the landlord/agency for a written copy of the agreement (hope this makes sense)

JakeF

Thanks @worryworm95 yes it does.

JakeF

It's complicated.