New powers have also been put into law to check people’s bank accounts
The DWP has issued an update regarding the expansion of its case reviews for benefit recipients. As part of this process, you may be required to submit evidence to continue receiving your benefits.
This announcement follows the recent granting of new powers to DWP officials to clamp down on incorrect benefit payments. The new regulations permit investigators to request bank account details for people on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Pension Credit, to identify any claimants who may not be entitled to their benefits.
The legislation allows for these eligibility checks to be extended to other DWP benefits. Another way that the DWP checks people’s eligibility for their payments is through targeted case reviews.
These reviews involve DWP officials ensuring a claimant’s details are all present and correct, to confirm their payment amount is accurate. They will reach out to the person, asking them to provide evidence as part of the procedure.
The DWP started doing these reviews in 2022 to scrutinise Universal Credit claims. Senior DWP official Peter Schofield recently informed MPs that the department is now expanding these reviews to check Pension Credit claims.
The DWP was asked to explain what these reviews entail. A DWP spokesperson said: “We have introduced major reforms to ensure people are paid the correct benefits, to recover overpayments and to help save billions of pounds for the taxpayer.
“Targeted case reviews have already saved the taxpayer £1billion by blocking incorrect Universal Credit payments, and are set to save an additional £1.2billion in 2030-31. From 2026 to 2029, we will also review Pension Credit claims at risk of error, saving an estimated £500million over this period.”
What do DWP targeted case reviews involve?
Claimants must provide evidence, including their ID, to verify their identity. They also need to supply bank statements to confirm specific aspects of their claim.
You may need to submit bank statements to verify your earnings, additional income, your savings or your housing costs. These checks are designed to provide an accurate picture of your circumstances, ensuring you are paid the correct amount.
They also help the DWP ensure you’re getting appropriate support, such as assistance to prevent falling into debt or to help you avoid getting further into debt. The standard way you have to provide this evidence is sending electronic copies, by uploading the information through your Universal Credit account.
Your benefits ‘may be suspended’
The DWP has directed claimants to a tutorial video explaining how to upload their evidence. Agents will require you to submit your evidence “within a 14-day deadline”.
The DWP warns that your claim “may be suspended” if you fail to comply with this timeframe. However, staff will tailor their approach for each individual case, to determine the appropriate course of action and to provide any additional support you require.
This additional support can include:
- Offering a call to discuss the process and help understand any support you need
- Guiding the customer through uploading information
- Giving the customer more time to provide requested information
- Organising a home visit.
Customers under review are also provided with guidance on how to contact their agent if they have any questions or concerns. The department previously said it would use between £300million and £400million a year to continue the targeted case review programme for Universal Credit claims.
DWP bosses also plan to spend £70million a year on expanding the checks to investigate Pension Credit claims. The DWP has been allocated a total of £3.5billion to clamp down on erroneous payments for the three years from 2026/2027.