New UC claim interview?

DarrenLee1

I've made an application online for UC, as I needed to apply for housing. I am receiving ESA as I have a long term illness (which includes agoraphobia) and I am not fit for work, the application said that this would be transferred over. However at the end of my application it tells me to book an appointment with a work coach and an interview to assess my claim. Do I need to do this for the application to go through?

huckster

Yes you would need to have your claim verified.

You can ask for a Home visit appointment, when you call the UC number. Explain about your health condition, which would prevent you attending a job centre. A visiting officer would then come to your home to verify your information.

I woukd suggest also sending a journal note on your claim, explaining your health condition and mentioning the existing ESA claim.

Spoonie_Turtle

Unfortunately, yes you do. They need to confirm your identity in person and they have to set up your commitments (which should be appropriate to your circumstances). You can ask for any further appointments to be over the phone, which would be at their discretion and there is no guarantee they will say yes, but if you don't ask you won't get.

I didn't realise when starting my claim that the identity appointment and commitments appointment are two separate things, so when you book yours I would advise at least asking about the possibility of having them together so you don't have to go twice separately. I don't know how much chance there is of them accommodating that (although if your agoraphobia is disabling, you can ask for it as a reasonable adjustment for your disability under the Equality Act) but again, no harm in at least asking.

Edit: didn't see huckster's reply before posting and now realise this comment is inaccurate.

[Deleted User]

Face to face is correct yes but as already mentioned you can ask for this to be done in a home visit instead of at the local job centre office.

DarrenLee1

Thank you, I will call them tomorrow. I just wasnn't sure, as the main page also gives a date by which a decision will be made, so I did not know if anything further was required, it wasn't particulalrly clear.

I have a very recent letter from my GP outlining my situation, this was for a PIP application. Should I consider submitting that evidence too, is there facility to do that?

I appreciate the advice.

NedS

DarrenLee1 wrote: »

I have a very recent letter from my GP outlining my situation, this was for a PIP application. Should I consider submitting that evidence too, is there facility to do that?

I appreciate the advice.

You shouldn't need to worry about this. Because you were previously claiming ESA before your UC claim, the outcome from your last ESA medical assessment will carry forward onto your UC claim (although it may take a few weeks for this to actually happen, it shouldn't affect you). Your Work Coach(*) will be able to check this on the system. That said, it certainly won't hurt to take it with you to any appointments, or have it to hand at any home visits.

(*) Don't worry about the term 'Work Coach' - it's what staff in the jobcentre are called these days so everyone sees a work coach whenever they go into a jobcentre. It's just a job title.

DarrenLee1

Called them and requested a home visit. Thanks for your help.