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Universal Credit Review Northern Ireland
- Endora21
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2 days 7 hours ago #311849 by Endora21
Universal Credit Review Northern Ireland was created by Endora21
Hi, I was had a Managed Migration from Support group ESA not even 6 months ago. There were many errors and delays during it and it had a detrimental effect of on my already chronic bad health. (I also received PIP) Right up until 2 weeks ago errors had been made. Which have now been resolved (none of this was error on my part)
I have a support worker from a local well known disabled support organisation who support me with various needs and benefit issues.
Last week I was contacted this time about a Universal Credit telephone Review. They gave me a date not even 6 days later. I contacted the agent and stated I had a long standing health appointment at that time (and do so every week at that day and time). And that I was in the midst of getting a new support worker as my one is ill. I stated I would be speaking to my new support worker this week to arrange support and what their availability would be going forward.....The UC reviewer was somewhat hostile and unsupportive. He asked me could I get someone else to do it? I said no as this organisation is the one that helps me with this type of support. And he said you need to keep your commitments and I can't let this run on ..I at no point said I wouldn't /couldn't do the review. Just that I needed a different time and could arrange that when I'd spoken this my new support worker this week . He then dictated when I ring my support worker and that they should be able to tell me immediately when they would be available to support me for the telephone Review and I write it on my journal. I spoke with my new support worker, he arranged to come out tomorrow to first of all see me, and that we would ring the UC and arrange the review. I wrote this on my journal. Said reviewer posted a letter saying my UC was at risk and booked an appointment for next week on the day and morning I have my weekly long standing medical appointment again. This all states Friday last week. I have not been dragging this out in anyway. I have no objection to being reviewed. Furthermore I have asked several times what I do I will need and he refused to tell me. Said it was in the original letter (it wasn't) and Ive asked 3 more times on the journal? I really feel this unreasonable and considering lodging a complaint. I've have enough stress from UC in the past 5 months. Would it be wise to ask for another reviewer? One is experienced/trained in dealing with disabled/chronically ill people and their support needs?
I have a support worker from a local well known disabled support organisation who support me with various needs and benefit issues.
Last week I was contacted this time about a Universal Credit telephone Review. They gave me a date not even 6 days later. I contacted the agent and stated I had a long standing health appointment at that time (and do so every week at that day and time). And that I was in the midst of getting a new support worker as my one is ill. I stated I would be speaking to my new support worker this week to arrange support and what their availability would be going forward.....The UC reviewer was somewhat hostile and unsupportive. He asked me could I get someone else to do it? I said no as this organisation is the one that helps me with this type of support. And he said you need to keep your commitments and I can't let this run on ..I at no point said I wouldn't /couldn't do the review. Just that I needed a different time and could arrange that when I'd spoken this my new support worker this week . He then dictated when I ring my support worker and that they should be able to tell me immediately when they would be available to support me for the telephone Review and I write it on my journal. I spoke with my new support worker, he arranged to come out tomorrow to first of all see me, and that we would ring the UC and arrange the review. I wrote this on my journal. Said reviewer posted a letter saying my UC was at risk and booked an appointment for next week on the day and morning I have my weekly long standing medical appointment again. This all states Friday last week. I have not been dragging this out in anyway. I have no objection to being reviewed. Furthermore I have asked several times what I do I will need and he refused to tell me. Said it was in the original letter (it wasn't) and Ive asked 3 more times on the journal? I really feel this unreasonable and considering lodging a complaint. I've have enough stress from UC in the past 5 months. Would it be wise to ask for another reviewer? One is experienced/trained in dealing with disabled/chronically ill people and their support needs?
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21 hours 47 minutes ago #311925 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Universal Credit Review Northern Ireland
Hi Endora21
I'm sorry that you are going through this, and he was clearly being unreasonable. I assume the rules are the same in Northern Ireland as they are in England,d and that they should reply within 72 hours. However, they often miss that deadline adding to a claimant's stress. If you are able to, I would ring the Universal Credit Northern Ireland helpline 0800 012 1331 - say what has happened and that you would like to request a new appointment time with a different reviewer. I'm not sure the person on the phone can change the reviewer, but I would ask for the email of the manager in that area and say you wish to make a formal complaint about the way you have been treated. If you can't make that call, I hope that you can get help from your new support worker. Keep a note of who you spoke to and what was said. As for getting a reviewer with knowledge of vulnerable people - I am sure you will be told they are qualified to follow the methods of the DWP!
BIS
I'm sorry that you are going through this, and he was clearly being unreasonable. I assume the rules are the same in Northern Ireland as they are in England,d and that they should reply within 72 hours. However, they often miss that deadline adding to a claimant's stress. If you are able to, I would ring the Universal Credit Northern Ireland helpline 0800 012 1331 - say what has happened and that you would like to request a new appointment time with a different reviewer. I'm not sure the person on the phone can change the reviewer, but I would ask for the email of the manager in that area and say you wish to make a formal complaint about the way you have been treated. If you can't make that call, I hope that you can get help from your new support worker. Keep a note of who you spoke to and what was said. As for getting a reviewer with knowledge of vulnerable people - I am sure you will be told they are qualified to follow the methods of the DWP!
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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