Initial UC appointment

Lbspeller

I have completed my online application for universal credit and just made the phone call to get a date for my initial interview. I was told that none are available for over a month and so they would fill in a form to get the jobcentre to call me direct. Just wondering if this is normal/common, and how long I should expect to wait for them to call me before getting worried or chasing it up?

Willingtohelp

That seems a bit excessive. Especially as that will be near your payday. I would phone up and get it booked in sooner. The Service Centre can phone the Jobcentre and arrange an much earlier appointment. The sooner everything is verified the easier your claim will go through. Sometimes these things slip over Christmas.

Lbspeller

Sorry, I want very clear - when I phoned they said there are no available appointments for well over a month and so they did not actually make an appointment. They said the job centre will phone me 'soon' to arrange something directly. I'm just not sure how long I should wait for them to call me before I chase it up.

tomtom256

I would give a few days considering most jobcentres have only re-opened today.


The site lead will be looking at moving other appointments about to get an appointment made for you.

Lbspeller

Thanks, I'll give it a couple of days. Only worry is that I am not able to verify my identity online (no photo ID) so need to do that at the appointment, but have got a message just now saying I have till the 8th to verify my identity or I will have to re apply from scratch??

calcotti

There are usually two appointments associated with a UC claim, the first to check your identity if you have not been able to do it online (which many people are unable to do) and the second to agree a claimant commitment. I suggest you make sure that when you ring them they understand that you want to do the identity check by the 8th as instructed. Keep a note of your conversation and who you spoke to in case you need to make a complaint later.

Given the timescale I suggest contacting them tomorrow rather than leaving it any longer.

tomtom256

When you made your claim it would have asked if you can provide sufficient ID, just put no and they will make an evidence appointment for you, these can normally be arranged fairly quickly.



However January is normally a busy period as seasonal workers reclaim benefits, so those previously on JSA who did any seasonal work will now be making new claims to UC, instead of a rapid reclaim back to JSA.