My Universal Credit and Health Timeline

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My Universal Credit and Health Timeline

This is my personal account of my experiences with Universal Credit (UC), my work with The Big Issue, and my recovery from cataract surgery with complications. I am publishing this so the public can understand what I have gone through, and how UC decisions have affected my health, safety, and ability to recover.

Work and Universal Credit Status

  • 2 December 2024 – Started working as a vendor with The Big Issue.

  • 9 December 2024 – Called to Jobcentre for a self-employment interview. At this meeting, it was confirmed I was not legally self-employed.

    • I instructed Caroline (UC staff) to close my UC claim so I could focus on earning from Big Issue without UC interference.

    • Caroline advised me not to close it down.

    • Universal Credit shut my claim down anyway on 27 November 2024.

  • At this same meeting, they booked me a Job Coach appointment for 19 December 2024.

  • Later, Caroline advised me if I attended another self-employment interview on 9 December 2025, she would reinstate my UC. She did not — instead she made me an appointment for 16 December 2025.

At one point, UC even booked me a taxi to attend an interview without telling me first. I only found out when a neighbour knocked on my door. I refused to take the taxi as I had not been informed properly.

Medical History and Recovery

  • 12 May 2025 – Eye check at Specsavers Grimsby. Referral made to Newmedica eye clinic.

  • 19 May 2025 – Went off sick while awaiting cataract surgery, due to increasingly dangerous vision.

    • Example: on 18 May 2025, a friend’s 8-year-old son hugged me three times, but I never saw him — a reminder that I could just as easily miss someone approaching me with a weapon.

  • 26 June 2025 – First cataract surgery (right eye).

  • 9 August 2025 – Second cataract surgery (left eye), complicated by phaco burn and corneal fold.

  • 13 August 2025 – Post-surgery follow-up.

  • 29 August 2025 – Follow-up appointment.

  • Waiting for my next appointment.

Complications from surgery mean my recovery is longer and riskier than normal. I still experience blurred vision, halos around lights, occasional double vision, and red eye. Eye drops blur my sight for up to 4 hours at a time.

Key Issues with Universal Credit

  • UC has repeatedly treated me as self-employed despite clear confirmation that I am not.

  • Caroline and other staff have pressured me into appointments and ignored my medical situation.

  • UC threatened closure of my claim if I did not attend in-person appointments, despite medical advice warning against travel, dust exposure, and screen use during recovery.

  • UC have a record of misleading me — e.g., promising reinstatement of UC if I attended interviews, but then not following through.

Why I Am Publishing This

I am sharing my story because:

  • I believe UC are ignoring medical advice and risking my recovery.

  • My case shows how vulnerable people can be treated unfairly under the current system.

  • I want this account to stand as a public record of what has happened to me.

✨ A Note From Raymond ✨

I’m currently recovering from cataract surgery, which has been more difficult than expected due to complications. While I take the time to heal, I can’t work at my usual spot as a Big Issue vendor.

If my story has helped you, or if you’d like to support me during recovery:

  • 🟢 Donate (PayPal): raymond_duggan@sky.com

  • 📖 Buy The Big Issue from me digitally: Click here

  • 💬 Share this post with others who may benefit from my story.

Your support means I can keep my home, recover safely, and get back to work in the community I love. Thank you 🙏

— Raymond


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