We are receiving reports of claimants experiencing significant waits when trying to verify ID online or when phoning to make their first appointment (which will be a phone appointment).

Universal Credit has been overrun by new claims for Universal Credit, BBC news has reported today that 500,000 people have claimed in the last nine days. DWP are trying their best, verifying your ID and completing your first appointment are essential parts to your Universal Credit claim. We would encourage our tenants to be patient and expect long waits when phoning to make your first appointment. 

If you are struggling to get through we recommend that you put a note on your journal stating this. However, you will have to be patient and try to get through which could  take a number of hours.