ESA migration to UC

Blancmang25

I understand that UC require evidence of identity.
Does anybody know what UC can do if the person migrating to UC does not have any id?
They only have a bus pass, blue badge and ESA/DLA letters. 
The person is non verbal, cannot read or write.
I just want to be prepared for when the migration letter arrives.
Thanks

elsien

If I remember correctly, in similar circumstances, we had to arrange an appointment with the DWP (Person couldn’t leave the house but I can’t remember whether  it was a phone call with the appointee or some other contact). Initially, they wanted the person to attend the job centre, but that was never going to be happening - I think the GP backed that one up.

And I think the social worker was willing to confirm identity as well if necessary.
Obviously, that depends on the person having a social worker, but there are always ways  and the DWP will do lateral checks. 

huckster

Do they have an appointee?  If not it may be worth having appointee confirmed with DWP before migration.  

elsien

Do they not have a birth certificate?

TimeLord1

In some cases, the DWP might be able to use information from other government departments or trusted third-party organisations to confirm identity.

For very vulnerable claimants, or where other methods are not possible, a home visit from a DWP officer might be arranged to verify identity and gather information. You should specifically request this if other methods prove difficult or inappropriate given the person's needs.


Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644 (Textphone: 0800 328 1344).

Explain the situation clearly, State that the person will be migrating from ESA/DLA, has no traditional photo ID, is non-verbal, and cannot read or write. Emphasise their vulnerability and the need for reasonable adjustments.

Blancmang25

Thanks for all the replies.
Yes, she has a birth certificate but I think you need 2 id's?
Yes she has an appointee.(age 78 mother)
One last query...as she cannot read and write etc and the appointee does not use or have any idea of the internet, can I set up a UC account online for the person migrating?
I just want to be prepared for when the migration letter appears.

Blancmang25

TimeLord1 said:

In some cases, the DWP might be able to use information from other government departments or trusted third-party organisations to confirm identity.

For very vulnerable claimants, or where other methods are not possible, a home visit from a DWP officer might be arranged to verify identity and gather information. You should specifically request this if other methods prove difficult or inappropriate given the person's needs.


Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644 (Textphone: 0800 328 1344).

Explain the situation clearly, State that the person will be migrating from ESA/DLA, has no traditional photo ID, is non-verbal, and cannot read or write. Emphasise their vulnerability and the need for reasonable adjustments.

Thanks, I know people can be verified by DWP I was just not sure about UC

iklepig

Blancmang25 said:

TimeLord1 said:

In some cases, the DWP might be able to use information from other government departments or trusted third-party organisations to confirm identity.

For very vulnerable claimants, or where other methods are not possible, a home visit from a DWP officer might be arranged to verify identity and gather information. You should specifically request this if other methods prove difficult or inappropriate given the person's needs.


Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644 (Textphone: 0800 328 1344).

Explain the situation clearly, State that the person will be migrating from ESA/DLA, has no traditional photo ID, is non-verbal, and cannot read or write. Emphasise their vulnerability and the need for reasonable adjustments.

Thanks, I know people can be verified by DWP I was just not sure about UC

We had a similar-ish concern with UC migration. We found the DWP was set up for this. We took along what ID we had (most of which they said they could not accept) and so they asked a series of questions to the person without ID (who couldn’t speak/couldn’t recall the info) and also me as I was helping them. I ended up answering the questions for them and the non-ID person nodded that it was correct. The DWP then inputted the answers into the system and it was straightforward. 

We were also concerned about having no suitable ID but found there were quite simple ways round it (especially as long history of claiming DLA/PIP plus it’s a ESA migration). I hope this reassures just a little. 

elsien

This is not what you asked, so apologies for going slightly off topic, but does the 78 year old appointee wish to consider passing the baton on to someone else at some point? The reason I ask is that if something happens (eg if they lose capacity for some reason and can't consent to relinquishing the appointeeship) then it can be a  long time for the DWP to disentangle and agree to another appointee being appointed if there is no LPA. 
Just something that should be considered as people get older,