Universal Credit Advice

[Piano Cube]

Hi, I'm currently in receipt of Universal Credit and there is an Advisor making my life difficult.

 

So far in meetings with various Advisors I've explained what I've been doing and have a printed list of job applications with me. It confirms the jobs I have applied for with the dates and times the job application was sent.

I'm completing everything on my Claimant Commitment and am getting some interviews whilst setting up part time self-employment for myself so all is going well.

 

This one Advisor however refused to even check my printouts and accused me of not participating as I had not used the online journal. I started to explain that none of the Advisors had cared and it was my understanding that I could provide printed copies.

 

She terminated the meeting and refused to talk to me, setting up a meeting with her manager instead and refused to give her name when I asked. I have another meeting with her next week and am dreading that she will sanction me, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[fkofilee]

https://makeacomplaint.dwp.gov.uk/

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

 

Fill in the 1st one - Use 2nd for guide... 

Complain about it - You have proof so should avoid a sanction...

[Piano Cube]

Thanks for the quick response. Is there anywhere that says I have to use the Online Journal, I've been out of the loop for several years but all I can find is a FOI request that backs up my thoughts on being able to provide a printed record.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/460828/response/1115310/attach/html/3/FOI 408 attachment 1.pdf.html

[fkofilee]

No you dont - I didnt last year.

[Piano Cube]

Ah right, that's good to know. I get shut down as soon as I mention it, all the other Advisors are okay with how I'm doing.

[unclebulgaria67]

As long as you are meeting your claimant commitment there is no issue. So you could not  be sanctioned.

 

What you need to be aware of, is that with some online benefit claims or even online education courses, that there is an expectation that an online record such as a journal will be kept. If you are unwilling to do this, unless your claimant commitment says you agreed to record certain information on your journal, then no action should be taken against you. 

 

 

 

 

[Piano Cube]

Thanks for the advice, there isn't anything on my commitment about using the online system. I thought about it when I applied and as I'm well organised already, writing out the information again is a waste of time. If my internet connection is down, I'm stuck and if they lose it or can't access it for whatever reason, it's going to cause problems.

 

At least paper doesn't run out of batteries or need an internet connection.

[unclebulgaria67]

Just be aware that there is a general move to have everything done online, as this is the way the world operates.

 

At some point I can see people not having the option to make manual records, unless they don't have internet services due to where they live or they have a disability which prevents internet/computer use.

 

I can remember when applying for jobs a few years back, that the only option provided by many employers was an online form that needed to be completed. And if you did not apply within a few days, then it was too late.

 

I would strongly recommend that if it is possible that you start to record everything online including the UC journal. Register for online job searches such as Total Jobs and check everyday for new jobs.  Keep a full record of everything you do.

 

if you think about it, UC being an online benefit may start to handle claimants remotely via online journal, skype, phone calls where necessary. If people can be trusted to record everything online, which a Work Coach or administrator can see, then perhaps claimants might not have to travel to Job Centre appointments.  Of course some people might always prefer face to face conversations and getting out of the house.

 

 

[fkofilee]

When I put through a UC Claim last year - it took me 4 mins to complete the entire process with all my information than 25 mins filling in a form...

This used Secure Identity. For me its easy - For others not so much... 

 

I would like to think the JCP / DWP is flexible but let see.

[tomtom256]

Does your claimant commitment state to update journal or job application section of your account to provide the evidence?

 

If not, then written or even verbal would suffice. If the commitment isn't tight enough to state where to put your evidence then there is nothing they can do.

[Piano Cube]

There's no mention of using the job application part of the online journal on my claimant commitment. As I say, there's only this one Advisor that seems to want to make it a massive issue - terminating the meeting if I dare to argue back.

 

I simply have: check it often - complete to-do list (has only ever been meetings to attend on there) - update circumstances