Hello. I would very much like to know what others do to keep records for Universal Credit as a appointee. My adult son is about to start claiming it and I am his named appointee. Feeling very overwhelmed too be honest so any tips would be so helpful. We share a bank account just for PIP currently. Thank you
If you already have an appointee account, that’s great. How easy, or difficult applying for UC is, depends on where you live. I had a truly awful experience. I’ve dealt with benefit applications since I was a teenager, now 74, so it should have been a doddle. How wrong could I be. I met Jobsworth after Jobsworth, was told first to go to the Job Centre nearest my son’s home, 15 miles away. Then I was told I didn’t have all the relevant information, although I’d had everything they told me I needed. Wouldn’t even accept my passport as ID, although it says on the website it is! In the end, after making a formal complaint, the manager of the Job Centre rang me to apologise, confirmed in a letter the next day! Then I had to go to the Job Centre nearest my home, and go through it all again. All this despite being told by their own advisory service that verification could be done by a few quick questions and should take no more than five minutes!
@Kind12
Hi and welcome to the forum.
S claims this benefit it’s a minefield! The system is so rigid.
Keep records of what money is being spent on - especially regular payments and large purchases.
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@Kind12, @Melly1 is right. Claiming UC is difficult. Especially if you haven’t claimed before. Naming yourself as appointee is a good start. That way you can keep an eye on his money. I too am trying to claim UC. I’m having a difficult time at the moment so I share your pain.
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It’s a nightmare as if caring for someone 24 hours a day is enough you then have to uplevel to an accountant! I have been completely overwhelmed for weeks. Just so anxious I will make a mistake. Mencap are helping me to fill out the forms.
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@Kind12, good to hear. I’m sure Mencap will guide you through the process. I’ve been a carer (until recently) for 30+yrs. I’ll try to offer advice where I can.
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