HB to UC Migration - Failure to satisfy proof of rent/address

Hi there,

I was migrated from HB to UC in October. I have been paid UC but not the housing element component.

They claim they cannot verify proof of my rent or address (they won't specify which). I have lived at the same address for almost 20 years and HB has been paid there almost the entire time (I'm disabled). They keep asking me to upload the same documents. Now they want me to bring those same documents into the Jobcentre, which seems pointless.

Does anyone know if this happens fairly frequently and if I should just 'ride it out'. Or would I be wise to try and escalate the problem to get it resolved? I have asked in my journal for them to explain so I can solve the issue, but I keep getting told to re-upload the same documents again. Naturally I am very confused.

Thanks!

Hi David,

Many thanks. I am in London/Kensington & Chelsea.

I have been hesitant to complain as the migration happened at the same time as my annual rent increase happens. Usually they send off to the rent officer for them to decide if the rent is fair (they always say I'm paying too much, even though my rent is below the LHA rates for my area). This usually takes about a month or so. So I figured this was what was causing the delay.

But rather than tell me that, they just keep asking for the tenancy agreement and council tax statement. Which is getting a bit silly now. Very confusing.

Thanks.

They just ignored my messages.

As the physical appointment they gave me at the Jobcentre is for tomorrow, I've cancelled my hospital appointment that clashed with it to be able to make it.

It sounds daft, but I would rather not lose my home, even though what I have is an urgent cancer referral. I suspect they are hoping to push me over the edge as part of their cost-cutting, but I won't give them that satisfaction.