UC no adjustment for disability help - verifying my bank account

aharris
aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
edited February 2022 in Universal Credit (UC)
UC won’t let me verify my bank account any way but in person and are saying that it their only option but I can’t and don’t know what to do? 

My wife walked out on me and our children and ive had to change our joint claim to single. I receive lcwra and pip as I’m unable to leave house or interact with people as well as some physical disabilities.

Ecen though the account is the same as on our joint claim they are saying I have to reverify it in person which I can’t do.
they are refusing any other option - surely this is disability discrimination and they should make a reasonable adjustment?

They said I could have someone bring it for me but I don’t know anyone at all. No friends or family I have no one that can. What do I do? Is there any uc guidance that can help?

Comments

  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Hello @aharris

    Welcome to the community, it's nice to see you join us and I hope you enjoy taking part here.

    Sorry to hear about the situation you are in, it sounds quite difficult and I can understand why it has caused you stress. 

    What is it that they are asking you to bring to them in person? Is it things like ID and / or bank statements? Have you considered asking them if there is any way in which you could send scans over?  I'm not sure if they would accept that or not, but it could be an option.

    Your discussion is in our Universal Credit category, which could be a useful place for you to browse to get involved with other conversations going on about UC. We also have a search function and numerous other categories, so please feel free to have a look around the community and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    edited January 2022
    They want to see my bank card
    I offered to take a photo and send it or to scan it for them but they are refusing and said they can only check it in person 
    I pointed out I am disabled and can’t do it and they said that it was my problem and I should arrange a lift or a friend to go with me. 
    I can’t leave my house and I don’t have any friends and even if I did I still can’t leave my house. If it doesn’t get verified then I don’t get money this month, so what am I meant to do? 
    I saw online they can do home visits but that they’ve stopped them currently so what other option is there, don’t I have right to an adjustment? 
  • JustPete
    JustPete Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 303 Empowering
    @aharris

    I am no expert on this but will offer my thoughts:

    Firstly, I would phone back (again) explaining your situation (again) and stress the fact that THEY have stopped home visits. Ask whether you can use their Secure Email Service.  I know that Organisations (Solicitors, Local Authorities, Benefit Agencies) do have these as I use them for exchanges of sensitive information.
    Secondly, ask if they would accept Citizens Advice Bureau authentication of your documents, or possibly your Bank Authentication.

    Unfortunately, I have a feeling you may have to do this in person.

    Like i said, I am not an expert here, but have offered my thoughts.

    Good luck.
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    woodbine said:
    I'm afraid I have to agree that they may stick to what they are saying, I don't think it's discrimination it's just how it is like you want the money you do as we ask, perhaps they find it difficult to understand that you have not a single friend or family member who can help, if it's just a matter of somebody taking what they need to see could you use a courier service?
    The point is I’m physically and mentally unable to do as they ask. There is zero possibility. So it is discriminatory making the only way of accessing financial support I’m entitled to a way that is completely impossible.
     I know the concept may seem strange to someone with no difficulty leaving their house but I cannot do it and haven’t for more than half my life now. 
    The second part I find hard to swallow- why is it so hard to believe someone may not have a single friend in the world or family member? 
    Aside from my wife who left I only have our two children, both of which are minors so that’s out of the question too. 
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    Username_removed said:
    UC have never done home visits so let’s knock that one on the head. 
    My case manager called again today and said she has applied for me to have a home visit but that it will be some weeks before anything can be arranged. She said before Covid they used to do it in extreme circumstances so I think it may be possible but means I will be without any income until that can be sorted  

    1 - how can I find how to contact local partnership? I’ve already written to my mp today

    3 - It’s not my ID they want to verify it’s my bank account and they’ve said only way is to see my bank card (which is bloody ridiculous, a bank statement has account details too!)
    Apprently government gateway is only for ID

    4 - this isn’t a new claim so not sure if they can help me? It’s just changing a claim from joint to single and even though it’s still paid into same account they want to verify bank again 
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    Sorry I was replying to you as well I didn’t ignore your message 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited January 2022
    Username_removed said:
    UC have never done home visits so let’s knock that one on the head. 
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-you/draft-uc-and-you
    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Visiting Team can, in certain circumstances, visit claimants at home to help them with their Universal Credit claim.
    I did have a client a few years ago who had a home visit from DWP to help them claim UC (to my surprise).
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    I know they can do home visits I checked after she said http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2020-0646/69._Home_visits_v8.0.pdf

    but it’ll be too long meaning we have no financial support for weeks until they can arrange it and they’re not offering an alternative.

    PIP accept bank details without seeing the card so I don’t understand why UC can’t. I’m sure other benefits do as well 
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    Especially as they’ve been paying me into the same account for past few years anyway!!! 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    @Username_removed have to disagree there uc did a home visit for me to validate my claim however this was pre covid 

    C


  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    Username_removed said:
    calcotti said:
    Username_removed said:
    UC have never done home visits so let’s knock that one on the head. 
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-you/draft-uc-and-you
    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Visiting Team can, in certain circumstances, visit claimants at home to help them with their Universal Credit claim.
    I did have a client a few years ago who had a home visit from DWP to help them claim UC (to my surprise).
    There was a report, wguch I recall was linked to on Rightsnet, which suggested that the total number of visits undertaken across the UK was less than 100 in total.
    My client obviously got lucky! It was before digital rollout was completed (at end of 2018 from memory) so perhaps they were trying harder then.
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    It was 2018 they came out to me as well so maybe that was the year to claim 
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    woodbine said:

    Forgive me if i am in anyway out of order, like others i am only trying to help in what sounds like a difficult situation.
    Not out of order but a little insensitive and unaware of the situation lots of people are in.
    I’m happy for you that a life with no family, friends or community is so alien to you that you can’t understand it. You must have a truly blessed life if you can’t imagine it and I hope you realise how fortunate you are

    Put shortly no my children do not have grandparents or wider family. No I don’t know anyone at their schools, it would be an impressive feat if I did without leaving the house. No a courier wouldn’t work although I appreciate the suggestion

    Does anyone know the answer to the questions I posed to Mikehughescq above? 
  • JustPete
    JustPete Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 303 Empowering
    @aharris - I offered my suggestions yesterday - and I am absolutely sure that they were of no help.  I have returned today, and as I thought I have found more knowledgeable people than I have offered advice and suggestions to you.

    I have decided to reply to you again. 

    Please remember that  my colleagues above, ( @janer1967 @calcotti @Username_removed @woodbine myself, others) are trying to assist you, nothing more.  We volunteer our time and are happy to do so.  We all start from the point of trying to understand somebody's situation and our aim is to help where/when we can.

    Please take time to reflect on this being a welcoming community.  We are not here to make your situation worse, nor to make you feel worse.

    However, we are not here to be used as virtual punch bags either.

    I hope you will continue to engage in this community in a way that respects our values, and that you just be a little more kind when posting back to us.

  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    …..
  • aharris
    aharris Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    JustPete said:

    However, we are not here to be used as virtual punch bags either.

    I hope you will continue to engage in this community in a way that respects our values, and that you just be a little more kind when posting back to us.

    Please clarify exactly where I have used anyone as an virtual punch bag? 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    I don't think aharris has used anyone as a punchbag. I think they are in a very difficult situation and just needed some extra advice.
    I fully understand their situation about not being able to go out at all, regardless of the situation. I live with my daughter who is also unable to go out alone. If it wasn't for me and her sister she would be a prisoner in her own home. Thankfully she has family around her for support,help and guidance.
    @aharris i'm sorry i don't have any advice for you but i just wanted to send my best wishes and i really do hope you get something sorted soon.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    I think perhaps there was just a misunderstanding here. 
    I'm afraid I have to agree that they may stick to what they are saying, I don't think it's discrimination it's just how it is like you want the money you do as we ask, perhaps they find it difficult to understand that you have not a single friend or family member who can help, if it's just a matter of somebody taking what they need to see could you use a courier service?
    My understanding from @woodbine's comment here is that they were saying it's the DWP who may not be understanding of the fact that some people don't have a support network of family or friends who can assist. Is that right? It seems as though this was resolved, either way :) 

    I'm not totally sure on the answer to your queries @aharris, so I've marked your post as unanswered to flag up the fact that you have some unanswered questions on this thread. In terms of Citizens Advice, I believe that they should still be able to offer you some advice and support, even though you're not starting a new claim. 

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