How Do I Upload A Photo To My Universal Credit Journal?

Universal Credit is a state benefit for UK citizens above the age of 18 and below the state pension age that aims to provide financial assistance to individuals who are either out of work or on a low income. Through this article, we will explore how UC claimants can upload their photographs to their UC online journal as they continue with their job search. In addition to this, we will also discuss other relevant areas that apply to your UC account, its access as well as important information regarding the benefit that you can claim.

How Do I Upload A Photo To My Universal Credit Journal?

In order to upload a photo or any other relevant documents to your Universal Credit account, claimants will need to use their UC user ID and password to login into their account. There, they will find a “to-do list” that indicates the names/titles of documents that are required to be uploaded along with a due date for task completion.

The user ID and password are provided by your work coach during your first appointment with them after your claim has been approved. In addition to this, you will also be provided with a 16 digit reference number called your Personal Security Number (PSN). This will help you in case you have difficulty accessing your online journal or Universal Credit online account. To keep your data private, you will also be asked a security question on your first login. It is advisable to keep the answer to this question confidential so that only you can access your Universal Credit online account and journal.

Once your online account is created, you must keep these details safe as you will need them to receive and send updates regarding your Universal Credit claim. The DWP will ask you at this time whether you prefer to receive updates via text message, email or phone call.

After you have logged in to your Universal Credit online account, you will find the option to click on a tab and upload a file. You can upload five files to the portal at the same time. If you need to change the document that has been uploaded, you can also delete it and upload another document. Once you are sure that you have uploaded all the necessary documents, you can click on “Done” and your documents will be submitted to your work coach.

If your relationship status falls under any of the following categories, you will be required to make a joint claim with your partner:

married
civil partnership
living together as a couple

How Do I Upload My CV To Universal Credit?

In order to upload your CV to your Universal Credit online account, you can use one of these options:

use the CV builder in Universal Jobmatch
upload your CV in MS Word or PDF format
copy and paste your CV from a device

It is advisable to keep your CV relevant and updated; as well as avoid unnecessary details such as your bank account details or national insurance number.

What Is A PSN Number For Universal Credit?

A PSN number or a Personal Security Number is a 16 digit individual and confidential number assigned to claimants of Universal Credit after their first interview with their work coach. This is part of the Universal Credit claims process.

If you are about to make a claim for Universal Credit; either due to recent eligibility for the state benefit or if you are transferring from other benefits to Universal Credit, you will be required to apply online through the GOV.UK web portal. You will have to create an online account using a unique user identification and password. For this, you will need a phone number and an email address. If you are making a joint claim with a partner, you should keep UC account information to yourself.

You will still need a PSN number if you are unable to access the internet to create your Universal Credit account. In such cases, you may seek the help of a family member or inform the DWP of your situation. Reasons for lack of access to the internet can be anything from not being confident about using a smartphone to weak sight, a disability or that someone is unable to read or write.

Why Am I Having Problems With Universal Credit Identity Verification?

Sometimes new customers have problems with identity verification with Universal Credit due to one (or more) of the following reasons:

they don’t know how to use a computer
they don’t have access to a computer and/or free internet
they don’t have an email address
they don’t have a bank account
they don’t have a mobile number
they need support in completing their UC application

If you use Government Gateway, you will be able to secure your identity by creating a specific user id and password by providing documented information about yourself.

Yet, there may be times when there is no specific reason why you are having problems with your identity verification; however, chances are that you are a new customer and the process is taking time due to the system being shifted online in post-pandemic (covid-19) times.

When you apply for Universal Credit through their online portal your jobcentre is automatically notified of your online application. This means that even if you don’t receive an identity verification, you can expect to receive a call from the job centre to confirm your details. However, if you think that a reasonable time has passed between your application and the response time from your job centre, you can call on their toll-free number or email them to seek feedback.

What Do They Ask You In A Universal Credit Phone Appointment?

In addition to your personal identification details, you can be asked about any of the following areas of your life during a phone appointment with regards to the Universal Credit claim:

your identification details from your passport or driving license
your postcode
your NI number
your bank account, building society or credit union account number
your monthly rental payments
your landlord’s address
details of your savings and capital investments
details of your income and benefits
details of any child care payments made by you
child benefit reference numbers (if any)

Who Is Eligible For Universal Credit?

To qualify for Universal Credit, claimants must be able to fulfil the below eligibility criteria:

aged between 18 (in some cases it may be 16 or 17) and state pension age
unemployed or on low income
between the claimant and their partner, total savings are less than £6,000
experiencing high costs for childcare
suffering from a disability or health condition
caring for someone else

The amount of Universal Credit that an individual receives depends on their personal circumstances and income (if any). For instance, someone who is single and younger than 25 years of age will be eligible for Universal Credit amounting to around £257 per month. Meanwhile, this amount will rise to around £509 for someone who is living with a partner and either one of them or both of them are above the age of 25.

What Counts As Income For Universal Credit?

During your benefits calculation by the DWP, not only is your job-related income(s) taken into account, but the authorities will also consider unearned incomes. These are incomes that individuals receive without having to work.

Unearned incomes that affect your Universal Credit payments include the following:

Jobseeker’s Allowance (new style)
Employment and Support Allowance (new style)
Pension Income
Carer’s Allowance
State benefits that aren’t replaced by Universal Credit

For every £1 earned through any of the above means, £1 will be reduced from your Universal Credit payments.

When Do I Tell Universal Credit I Have A Job?

You should inform the Department for Work and Pensions immediately when you have a job, an increase in pay or any other change in circumstances that affect your eligibility criteria or the scale of payments that you receive in the form of Universal Credit (or any other state benefit).

In case of finding a job, you are required to provide the below information to the DWP:

who your employer is
the date when the job will start
the date by when your pay will increase

It is understandable that with a rise in income, you will face a reduction in your benefits. In the case of Universal Credit, for every £1 that you (or your partner earn), 55p will be counted as income during your Universal Credit calculation. While communicating a change to the DWP, you should state your disposable income in such cases, which is the take-home amount after your deduction of taxes, NIC and pension fund from your gross income.

Conclusion:

Universal Credit has replaced the six legacy benefits and continues to support individuals with disabilities or those on low incomes while helping claimants find appropriate jobs. The discussion in this blog post explains the desired process to be followed when a UC claimant needs to upload their photograph to the Universal Credit online journal as part of their work search. In addition to this, readers may benefit from the knowledge of how a UC online account is created and maintained.

FAQs: How Do I Upload A Photo To My Universal Credit Journal?

Can you upload documents to universal credit?

Yes, through the Full-Service online system, claimants of Universal Credit can upload their CV and other related documents.

Do I have to upload my CV to universal credit?

Yes, if your claimant commitment requires you to actively search for work, you are required to upload your CV to universal credit.

What evidence is needed for Universal Credit?

You will need evidence of your income, savings, health conditions, expenses and mentionable living conditions on the basis of which you have applied for a Universal Credit claim. It is best to keep copies of the required documents during your interview.

What Is A PSN Number For Universal Credit?

What questions does Universal Credit ask?

Usually, a DWP adviser called a Work Coach will be the one asking the questions during a phone appointment for Universal Credit. Questions can be related to your identification details your qualification and work experiences, your health condition and some personal details including your family life.