ID checks

[Taf]

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.

[Jaymoss]

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

There are many email providers, not just GMail.

[Jaymoss]

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

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

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

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

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.

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by Paul

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.

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

if your email is johnsmith@gmail.com, you own all dotted versions of your address:

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

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

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.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Taf

They have none of the 4.

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

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

[Taf]

Originally Posted by Hugh

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

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 ----------

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

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

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

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by Taf

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.

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

[nomadking]

Link

Other ways to verify your identity
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses a combination of documentary evidence, interviewing and information on DWP records to verify someone’s identity. This may include attending:
face-to-face appointments
phone biographical interviews
If your appointment is face-to-face at a Jobcentre Plus, you’ll need to bring ID and proof of address.
Depending on your circumstances, details of what evidence you need to provide will be discussed with you when you apply for Universal Credit.

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

[Taf]

you’ll need to bring ID

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.

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by Taf

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.

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

If you’re invited to a face-to-face interview at a Jobcentre Plus, you’ll need to bring ID and documents with you.
You’ll need to bring an original of all of the following:

• one photo ID
• one proof of address
• one further proof of identity

You may be asked questions to confirm your identity if your ID or documents are not accepted.

I'll ask this before anyone else ..

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