ID checks
 

I am our twins' Appointee for all matters relating to the DWP. All letters for them come to me, by name, to our address.

They recently had letters saying they have to migrate from ESA to Universal Credit.

I went to the specified online address, and was told they had to set up UC accounts to do the migration.

So that the emails would come directly to me, I gave my email address.

Nope, they still have that email address on file from many years ago when I was still being paid Carers Allowance.

So I decided to make 2 more Gmail accounts so that any emails would come to my inbox.

Nope, Gmail will only allow 2 addresses with the same mobile phone number.

I phone the UC helpline as was told that I should "get another SIM card on contract" so that I could get another Gmail account.

Since I had someone on the phone I raised the subject of items required for their ID checks:

"To prove your identity, you’ll need some documents such as your:

driving licence
passport
debit or credit card
payslip or P60"

They have none of the 4.

"Oh, they are going to have problems then" And he hung up.

Re: ID checks
 

Because they are already claiming the ID checks will not be as tight as they would for normal claim of UC. I assume they have bank accounts? if so print out statements . Perhaps get in touch with Fightback on Facebook you pay a sub and they will do all the work for you if need be

Re: ID checks
 

There are many email providers, not just GMail.

Re: ID checks
 

you can also use the . hack which means they all go to the same email . Original bobbins@gmail.com b.obbins@gmail.com bo.bbins@gmail.com all seen as different emails but all go to bobbins

Re: ID checks
 

Have a chat with your local Citizens Advice - you won’t be the only one affected by this…

Re: ID checks
 

Thats a strange gmail oddity (and just wrong, dots are a valid character in an email address and should not be ignored).
The generally accepted way to do what they do is to use the plus (+) character.

Re: ID checks
 

Oddity or not it has worked for a long long time apparently it works with vmo2 email address too. It also does not get flagged by places like ubereats etc whereas the + can be flagged. It worked for a long time with the 6 month bitdefender trials too

---------- Post added at 20:27 ---------- Previous post was at 20:22 ----------

incidentally it is actual a feature of gmail and has documentation on it

https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7436150?hl=en-GB

Re: ID checks
 

I am aware of that - it doesnt change the fact its wrong, and against the specs of how email should work.
No one else (I know of) breaks email addresses in that way. Typical of google. ;)

Re: ID checks
 

Terrible customer service, I keep hearing that the country is broken and nothing works, well one of the easier ways to turn it around is to take pride in doing your job well, if we all did that it wouldn't take as much to turn things around, that guy should feel ashamed of himself, I would but then I would never have treated a customer that badly in the first place

Re: ID checks
 

I was going to do that, but a chat with a neighbour who is having landlord problems, told me that the first CA telephone appointment available a few days ago was in almost 3 weeks time!

---------- Post added at 16:54 ---------- Previous post was at 16:52 ----------

I just tried it, and it works. Thankyou. It might help get a bit further towards resolving the situation.

Re: ID checks
 

These are who you need to get in touch with. It is not free but they will help you through the whole thing

https://www.facebook.com/FightBack4Justice

Re: ID checks
 

Link
As it's an issue many others will encounter, using an internet search will reveal advice and assistance.

Re: ID checks
 

What ID? The missus is in the same situation. Unable to get a Government Gateway account as she has no ID that they will accept. And that situation has been rumbling-on since July 2024.

Re: ID checks
 

Link available from the previous provided link.
What to bring to your Jobcentre Plus interview

Re: ID checks
 

I'll ask this before anyone else ..

What Photo ID ? Not everyone has a passport or (photo) driving licence.

Re: ID checks
 

General point on various matters.

Re: ID checks
 

You do not need photo id this is 100% . Also because they are already claiming the Work Coach will be able to run checks to confirm id at the interview. This also I can confirm accurate by experience

Re: ID checks
 

This. They would not even accept the missus' French ID card or Passport (expired).

Even the document she was given after we entered the UK after our wedding in France was rejected ("Right To Reside").

Re: ID checks
 

Well, their site crashed, freezed solid, crashed and crashed again.

Perhaps I'll have better luck today.

Re: ID checks
 

I'm shoving all my cash under the mattress, won't be long before the whole internet crashes and burns :D