DWP explains ‘case review’ process and what evidence you must provide | Personal Finance | Finance
The DWP has explained how its targeted case reviews work (Image: Getty)
The DWP has provided an update about expanding its case reviews for benefit claimants. You may have to send in evidence to continue receiving your benefits as part of this process.
The statement comes after a raft of new powers were recently granted to DWP officials, to clamp down on wrongful benefit payments. The new laws allow investigators to request bank account information for people on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Pension Credit, to identify any claimants that may not be entitled to their benefits.
These legislation provides for these eligibility checks to be expanded to other DWP benefits. Another way that the DWP checks people are eligible for their payments is through targeted case reviews.
These reviews involve DWP officials checking a claimant’s details are up to date, to ensure their payment amount is correct. They will contact the person to ask them to send in evidence as part of the process.
The DWP started doing these reviews back in 2022, to check Universal Credit claims. Senior DWP official Peter Schofield recently told MPs that the group is now being expanding these reviews to verify Pension Credit claims.
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The department was asked to explain what exactly these reviews involve. 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?
Customers have to provide evidence, including their ID, to confirm their identity. They also have to provide bank statements to confirm certain aspects of their claim.
You may have to send in bank statements to confirm your earnings, other income, your savings or your housing costs. These checks are intended to provide an accurate picture of your situation, to make sure you are being paid the right amount.
They also help to DWP make sure you are getting the right support, such as help to avoid falling into debt or getting further into debt. The default way to provide this evidence is by sending in electronic copies, by uploading the information through your Universal Credit account.
The DWP directed claimants to a tutorial video about how to upload your evidence. Agents will require you to send over your evidence “within a 14-day deadline”.
DWP warns that your claim “may be suspended” if you don’t comply with this timeframe. However, staff will tailor their approach for each individual case, to decide on the right course of action and to provide any extra support you need.
Extra support for claimants
This extra support can include:
- Offering a call to discuss the process and understand any support you require
- Guiding the customer through uploading information
- Giving the customer more time to provide requested information
- Organising a home visit.
Customers are also given guidance about how to contact their agent if they have any questions or concerns. The department previously said it would use between £300million and £400million each year to continue the targeted case review programme for Universal Credit claims.
DWP bosses also plan to spend some £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 the three years from 2026/2027.
