UC Migration, proof of ID

jopops01

Hello

I don’t have a valid passport as I’ve been unable to travel for at least ten years due to physical disability. I haven’t got a driving licence as it was revoked nearly 40 years ago after developing epilepsy. As such I’m in the process of fast tracking a citizen ID card. When I wrote on my journal to ask if Citizen ID was ok, they told me to check with relevant authorities - I thought I was!!!

Does anyone else know if this is ok for ID purposes?

Thanks.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Citizen ID card is accepted as photo ID for UC. It can't be used for the online verification like passport and driving licence though.

We have members on here who have verified ID without any photographic pieces so it may have been unnecessary in this case. You can also have a biographical check done over the phone to verify ID without photo ID.

Hopeless

I don’t have a passport or driving licence either and am currently undergoing UC migration. I put a note on my journal requesting to verify my ID by biographical phone appointment if possible and they’ve booked me in for Friday.

jopops01

Thank you so much both.

This is making me so worried now. My cut off date is the 29th June and I do have a biographical phone appointment booked for 26th June, so I’m a little worried that appointment is so close to my deadline. What kind of questions do they ask, and can I send in copies of bank details, mortgage statement before my phone call?

Is it possible to request an earlier appointment?

Hopeless

I’ll try to remember to come back after my phone appointment on Friday and hopefully be reassuring. As far as I’m aware they ask personalised questions you would likely know the answers to but a fraudster wouldn’t. So, past address, other benefits claimed etc. I don’t think you can send in anything before the phone call but it’s worth gathering stuff together just in case. I’m guessing they’re pretty snowed under with appointments otherwise they’d have offered an earlier one but you can always ask

jopops01

Dear Hopeless, thanks for replying. That would be great if you could get back to me, and you’re correct, only genuine applicants would know the answers to the type of questions they’re likely to ask. I’ve got various documents together ready. I put a note in my journal asking 1: if I could bring forward my phone appointment, and 2: could I upload various documents beforehand? My agent, called Santa 😀 said there were no free dates beforehand, and he didn’t even answer second question!!!

I gave it another try and sent a note on my journal asking about my documents. No reply to this one, it must have been home time.

Hopeless

I can’t believe you’ve been talking to Santa! 🎅🏻 How cool a name is that? I’m quite jealous.

I don’t think the people in charge fully understood how many of us migrating are without passports!

Hopeless

Today’s update. Received an email and a text reminding me of my phone appointment tomorrow. Like I’ve been able to think about anything else for days!

jopops01

I agree, mine’s in 13 days and I’m literally counting the hours. Hope all goes well for you 🙂🙂

Hopeless

All done 😁 they phoned about 30 mins early but asked if it was ok to go ahead. The man was lovely, really kind and understanding. The questions were really simple - I’d got out all my folders and letters to look things up but didn’t need them. Old address, which benefits I claim. He was happy that I am me! He also went through when my ESA and HB will stop and when my 1st UC statement will be available and my payment dates. He asked if I wanted my rent to go directly to my landlord and if I wanted twice monthly payments. I do have to pop into the job centre to verify my bank account - he said we can’t do it on the phone. I don’t need an appointment but can just go when I want to the reception. I just need my bank card and citizen card (he suggested passport or driving licence but I don’t have them and so I suggested my citizen card). He told me the times that are the quietest and when he’s covering reception to make it easier.

So, really, no need to worry. Though that’s easier said than done I know.

OverlyAnxious

Glad to hear it went smoothly for you! 🙂

(Concerning that they can't verify bank accounts without a personal visit though.)

jopops01

oh, that’s brilliant. Glad it went so well for you, also it’s put my mind more at ease. I thought it was going to be an interrogation 😀.

Hopeless

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1036877#Comment_1036877

I know - it’s the same account that my ESA gets paid into too! He did ask if I could manage to pop into to reception, I’m not sure what alternative there is though. I think I can if I stick to the quieter times he gave me

Hopeless

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1036887#Comment_1036887

He really couldn’t have been nicer. Incidentally, he wasn’t the person who I’d been told my phone call was with. I queried it when he introduced himself and the named person is his team leader. It just threw me for a moment so just be aware it might not be who you’re expecting!