Have to verify my identity for UC at Job Centre

ma133

I did not receive my UC payment today and was told on the UC website journal that I recently changed my name (which I haven't) and have to take my birth certificate into my local Job Centre to release the hold on the payment. But I can't easily find my birth certificate and only have a photo scan on my phone, I called the UC helpline and was told they might accept that but I am worried.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @ma133 and welcome to the community. Sorry you're having to deal with this. It's strange that they've said you've changed your name and it seems unfair for them to hold your payment. Do you have a driving licence or passport? They would typically accept those as ID but I'm not sure if they're specifically asking for your birth certificate to prove you have never changed your name.

Hopefully they will accept the scan as the helpline said. It seems to be more common nowadays.

ma133

I don't have a currently valid passport or driving license

Rachel_Scope

Ok, I'm sure that they'll accept some form of ID as you're already a claimant and it seems to be an error. Is there no way to get your birth certificate?

ma133

I might have to order another online but it costs too much at moment the original is aldo lost at the moment

Rag_793

your probably best contacting the registrar in the town or city where you was born. When I needed mine I had to contact Lambeth council about it, even though I was raised in Oldham like all of my family. My Sister was the other exception as she was born in Munster Germany.

Rachel_Scope

Here's the link to order one online @ma133. https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate It costs £12.50 and takes 4 days to arrive.

Are you able to go to the job centre with your phone scan and see if they'll accept it? I completely understand if you're not able, especially if they could possibly turn you away.

Rachel_Scope

Things have changed quite a lot since then @SheffieldMan1976 and I know scans of documents are more accepted now. It's promising that the helpline said they might accept it but yeah it's still a risk.

ma133

I took the bus to my local Job Centre with a high resolution photo scan file of my original birth certificate on my smartphone. It was accepted and the hold on my UC payment was removed and the money was into my bank account within 30 minutes. Took less than 10 minutes in the Job Centre. Thank you all for the advice. Lucky I took a photo of my birth certificate before it got misplaced a few months ago.

Bluebell21

Great news @ma133 what a relief for you. Well done.

Mary_Scope

Thank you for the update @ma133, sounds like it went quite smoothly😊