Ringing Universal Credit on someone else's behalf

stupidaspie

Time has almost run out for my mum to ring Universal Credit to chase up a dispute about a payment from last year (I have other threads on the issue). She won't ring them herself. We stand to lose a lot of money if nobody rings them. I would ring them myself, but I've just submitted a Fit Note to UC which refers mostly to mental health issues, so would my making calls on her behalf cast a doubt on my unfitness for work in the DWP's view, if they cross-referenced our claims?

KatrinaWaves

Are you on your mothers claim as someone authorised to talk about her claim? They won’t speak to you if not.

as long as your fit note doesn’t say you can’t make phone calls or don’t have the capacity to discuss such things then it shouldn’t make any difference to your fitness for work status. 

TELLIT01

You can initiate the call to UC but your mother will either need to speak them to confirm details and give permission for them to speak to you, or she can write to them giving permission.  Given the apparent time constraints the phone seems to be the better route.  If your mother is refusing the use the phone, all you can do is call and tell them that and ask what the best way is to proceed.

stupidaspie

I've spoken to them on her behalf before, and they asked to speak to her to get permission, so it shouldn't be a problem. Thanks both.

Robbie64

You don't need to worry about UC cross-refencing your claims. When you speak to them on behalf of your mum they will only have her claim open on their computer screen. Your mum will need to go through account security with them and then just has to confirm to the call handler that she is giving permission for you to speak on her behalf.