Unauthorised Appointee

Poppy777

Hi. My mom has been my appointee for my Pip for 5 years, but due to financial abuse and other abuse at home, I've had to move out and request that she be removed as an appointee, which has now been done.

I started claiming UC last year, and have just discovered that she is also the appointee for that, even though I never agreed to it. I was asked twice when I applied for UC, via my UC journal, if I wanted/needed an appointee and both times I said no, but they added my mom anyway without me knowing.

I contacted UC about this and asked them to call me (my number is registered on the claim), but they called my mom instead, where she asked them for my new address, how much rent I'm paying and my benefit details.

I specifically asked pip to not give out my new address due to the abuse from family, which listened to, but now UC has given her all my details and have now put me at risk again.

Is there anything I can do about this? Is an appointee automatically added on UC if there's an appointee on PIP? Can UC add an appointee without my consent?

Thanks.

poppy123456

The rules changed (not sure when) that if you have an appointee for another benefit it will automatically be put into place for UC. Yes they can do this without your consent because you would have already given that consent for PIP.

Before those changes the appointee would need to be put into place in the usual way.

When the appointee was removed for your PIP they wouldn't have shared information with UC to say she's been removed.

I'm not sure what can be done other than go down the complaints route, although they haven't really done anything wrong.

Is she still your appointee or has she now been removed?

Poppy777

She was removed as an appointee recently. So an appointee is added for everything automatically, but when an appointee is removed you have to contact everyone and go through the process of having the appointee removed?

poppy123456

Yes, that’s correct.

Poppy777

Bit silly when it was the police who helped me move after being stabbed, pip knew I was at risk and now UC have put me back at risk, they just don't care about anyone.

Poppy777

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/949537#Comment_949537

Update: went to UC appointment today and got appointee removed. They said an appointee shouldn't have been added, and they are unaware why she was added, as they aren't automatically added. The advisor said it is a data and safeguarding breach and that I'm well within my right to pursue legal action. Do you have a link to the information where appointees are automatically added for every benefit please?

poppy123456

I'm glad they were removed as your appointee. I'm afraid I do not have a link to prove my advice is correct but I can assure you it is. They changed this but I'm unsure when they did that, as I advised above.

I would also be aware of any work coach giving incorrect advice because they have been known to do that many times.