accepting a mobile phone from strangers

.......so the roach has a bee in his/her bonnet about telephone access and raised the subject again. This time suggesting that I am obliged to be contactable via 'phone and to that end will organise the provision of a mobile.

My response was that there is no requirement in law for me to to be contactable via telephone and unless the law has changed, any phone provided to me will not be accepted but left in the JC without me even handling it. I made it clear that I accept calls from recruiters but not DWP (historical reasons).

I think the roach was quite shocked and said s/he will have to refer it to a manager. There is nothing in the CC (what a relief) so I hope that will be the last I ever hear of it. Watch this space.

Caker wrote:.......so the roach has a bee in his/her bonnet about telephone access and raised the subject again. This time suggesting that I am obliged to be contactable via 'phone and to that end will organise the provision of a mobile.

My response was that there is no requirement in law for me to to be contactable via telephone and unless the law has changed, any phone provided to me will not be accepted but left in the JC without me even handling it. I made it clear that I accept calls from recruiters but not DWP (historical reasons).

I think the roach was quite shocked and said s/he will have to refer it to a manager. There is nothing in the CC (what a relief) so I hope that will be the last I ever hear of it. Watch this space.

Just incase...

Availability

J3113
In order to demonstrate that they are willing and able immediately to take up paid work, claimants should
1. be physically able to take up work within the appropriate timescale
2. be contactable (through mail, e-mail or phone) for interviews or work
3. be willing and able to give up any commitments which may interfere with their ability to start work
4. attend all interviews that have been offered to them
5. consider their appearance and behaviour to ensure this does not reduce their prospects of finding paid work.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/720614/admj3.pdf

1. I can confirm there is no legal or policy requirement for a claimant to have a mobile phone in order to make a claim to Universal Credit.
2. When making a Universal Credit claim claimants are asked to provide their home address plus are asked to provide an email address (if they have one) plus a mobile number (if they have one) and a landline number (if they have one). However if they do not provide email or phone details this does not prevent them from continuing with their claim to Universal Credit.
3. The Department does not have a policy on a claimant owning a mobile phone. The reason they are asked to provide a phone number is because it provides a quicker method of contacting the claimant if there are any queries about their new claim. In addition, most people have requirements in their claimant commitment to look for work and be available for appointments with their work coach or for interviews and therefore it is easier to make those arrangements if we are able to contact them quickly.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/300549/response/740144/attach/2/FoI%204697%20reply.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

Thanks.
More evidence to stump them with

Frank has been busy:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/claimants_do_not_have_to_consent#incoming-1325874

Frank is a gem.

My understanding is that the DWP system sometimes randomly generates messages telling the claimant to access the journal. These can happen out of office hours and can be a bit alarming (like the digital version of the brown envelope but not confined to morning post ).

I have a special email address to 'quarantine' DWP emails from any other emails. The other evening I received an email telling me to access my journal. When I did, it was just a non urgent message telling me which benefits I am not claiming.

Seeing the effect this had, my family suggested I log out of that email account and only access it in office hours because DWP have no business imposing upon my evenings. I did that. I have decided that I have no intention of letting DWP intrude into my personal life. I am certainly not carrying it around in my bag.

Down with big brother and the panopticon state

Good for you!

Caker wrote:My understanding is that the DWP system sometimes randomly generates messages telling the claimant to access the journal. These can happen out of office hours and can be a bit alarming (like the digital version of the brown envelope but not confined to morning post ).

I have a special email address to 'quarantine' DWP emails from any other emails. The other evening I received an email telling me to access my journal. When I did, it was just a non urgent message telling me which benefits I am not claiming.

Seeing the effect this had, my family suggested I log out of that email account and only access it in office hours because DWP have no business imposing upon my evenings. I did that. I have decided that I have no intention of letting DWP intrude into my personal life. I am certainly not carrying it around in my bag.

Down with big brother and the panopticon state

DWP should not be sending you emails, because they know you have limited internet access!

That is a good point ND. Do you think I should raise a request for letter only communication, or would that be poking the hornets nest?

Caker wrote:That is a good point ND. Do you think I should raise a request for letter only communication, or would that be poking the hornets nest?

I am not fully conversant with the UC Journal, an email maybe an automatic process for every UCJ notification.

You could send the emails to your spam and just check you Journal each time you go the library.

What I have been doing is just not logging into my quarantine email but just logging into UC journal daily within library opening hours to see if anything has changed. That way, if DWP keep any sort of log of times the journal is accessed, there will be no activity 'out of hours' and nothing to indicate that it might not have been accessed in the library.  


I can share anything about the functionality of the journal (if I know it) with anyone on here who wants any knowledge / help with it. It is simple enough for the savvy. Deserves its own thread actually.

Knowledge of the UCj would be helpful Caker. I have only seen screenshots of peoples posts within their account.

I have started a new thread in 'computers and Internet'.

I will be sharing tips and hints for best use. I am also happy to share any knowledge and answer any questions, if I can.

Caker wrote:I have started a new thread in 'computers and Internet'.

I will be sharing tips and hints for best use. I am also happy to share any knowledge and answer any questions, if I can.

Caker

Caker if you're using the Journal I assume you're now on UC? How did that happen, I thought you were JSA?

Oh, and I can absolutely assure you that the only contact info the DWP can mandate is your home address. This has been an issue with me and the Jobcentre for many years on and off. The latest was they wanted to buy me a phone so that the WHP could contact me with the promise that the Jobcentre would not have the number. No thanks said I!

@ABC I sent you a PM.