The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to several reports of Universal Credit claimants being unable to access their online accounts.
Some claimants feared they were at risk of missing essential tasks that could impact their payments. Throughout yesterday (October 3) members voiced their frustrations on BirminghamLive’s Cost of Living Facebook group, saying they’d been ‘locked out’ of their digital accounts necessary for agreeing to benefit terms, monitoring payments, communicating with Jobcentre staff, and notifying changes.
The outage tracking site Downdetector recorded a flurry of access issue reports. A distressed user posted: “I cannot accept my commitments on the website, it says they are having technical difficulties with no explanation. Very frustrating as I am due a payment on October 8.”
However, the glitches have since been ironed out. A DWP representative told BirminghamLive: “We are aware of isolated incidents that occurred yesterday where customers experienced delays when logging into their Universal Credit account.
“The issue is now resolved and we are monitoring the service closely.”
Each claimant, whether individual or joint, has their own Universal Credit online account, complete with a unique username and password, established when they first apply for the benefit.
These online accounts are used by claimants for a variety of tasks, such as monitoring their next payment date and amount, and checking their to-do list which outlines any urgent tasks necessary to continue receiving their benefits.
The account also allows them to agree to their claimant commitment, a contract detailing requirements such as job hunting or increasing income; apply for an advance payment; and report any changes in circumstances that could impact their entitlement.
Claimants can also message DWP staff via an online journal for any queries about their payments or appointments.
Seven million individuals are now in receipt of Universal Credit, a figure that’s ballooning as claimants are shifted from legacy benefits like Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, and income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
Legacy benefit claimants who still haven’t migrated to Universal Credit are advised to look out for a letter from the DWP over the next few months explaining the next steps. Britons are urged “not to act” until they receive the letter.
Typically, a claim must be made within three months of receiving the migration notice unless there is a valid reason for missing the deadline, making it key to stay alert.
