Universal Credit and reasonable adjustment - Am I being discriminated against ?

Gokaija

I'm part of the managed migration from legacy benefits to UC (previously ESA, support group, limited to no capacity for work).  I have made a claim online and have had an ID appointment booked.

I have no form of photo ID (haven't needed any for going on 13 years) so all I have is birth certificate, tenancy greement, previous contact with DWP via letter (2019) and a couple of historical p60's.

I suffer from extreme anxiety, E.U.P.D, depression and am possibly on the spectrum.  I have asked for the ID appointment to be done over the phone via the UC journal and have recieved a reply stating that

"We are unable to do a phone/biographical appointment and have to see you with your original ID documents at the jobcentre ...."

I have been in contact with the UC helpline and have advised them that I dont have photo ID and have given them a breakdown of what I do have.  In addition I have been in touch with the CAB's help to claim line and had a three way call with the UC helpline to try and get the adjustment I requested.

Im currently waiting for the CAB to call me back as they are at a loss as to why they would refuse this adjustment.

My question is ...Is this discriminatory ? Since everything I have read seems to imply that the DWP are bound by Law to make reasonable adjustments where they are able to do so and in this case I am being faced with what appears to be a flat out refusal.

I'm at a loss and having virtually constant panic attacks, my hands are shaking constantly and I honestly dont know where to turn.

Thanks

Muttleythefrog

Unclear why they can't do a biographical appointment... others have recently with lacking ID.

Gokaija

Muttleythefrog said:

Unclear why they can't do a biographical appointment... others have recently with lacking ID.

this is exactly what ive been told by the help to claim people at the CAB.  There seems to be no discernible reason why they would refuse.

Muttleythefrog

Gokaija said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Unclear why they can't do a biographical appointment... others have recently with lacking ID.

this is exactly what ive been told by the help to claim people at the CAB.  There seems to be no discernible reason why they would refuse.

See what CAB say.... as I would have thought you'd be a classic case suited to biographical IDing.. they'll perhaps ask questions about benefits received and bank account.... things you will know but a fraudster may not. I suspect this'll get resolved one way or another.. try best you can not to stress. Unfortunately commonly UC advisors or agents can give completely false information or reach unfathomable views.

poppy12345

I see no reason why they can’t do a telephone biographical appointment either, they often do those if someone can’t attend an appointment in person due to their disability. 

Spoonie_Turtle

If they really can't do a telephone appointment, what about a home visit?

poppy12345

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If they really can't do a telephone appointment, what about a home visit?

The problem with those is that it can take several weeks for someone to be able to visit and that will delay the claim. 

Spoonie_Turtle

poppy12345 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If they really can't do a telephone appointment, what about a home visit?

The problem with those is that it can take several weeks for someone to be able to visit and that will delay the claim. 

True.  I just wonder if asking for that 'since they "can't" do a telephone appointment' might make them realise that a) the OP is serious about not being able to go in person (they should have taken it seriously in the first place, but here we are) and b) actually a telephone appointment might be possible after all …

TimeLord1

You also should have had a recent P.60 for 2024

marcia_

poppy12345 said:

I see no reason why they can’t do a telephone biographical appointment either, they often do those if someone can’t attend an appointment in person due to their disability. 

 I couldn't be ID even though I claim esa, pip, was on tax credits and had a passport. I had to go in and show them my passport. They ID hubby online easy 

tomtom256

So it could be that you have a ID at risk marker or that they don't have sufficient data to conduct bio questions.
They are unable to confirm if your ID is at risk, but can tell you if there isn't enough data.
DWP guidance changed late last year, to offer  telephone ID appointments in the first instance to people migrating from ESA to UC.