DWP measures to stop people fraudulently claiming monthly PIP of up to £749

Daily Record

a day ago

DWP said £330 million was lost to fraud and error within the PIP system last year.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed it is 'committed' to tackling fraud and error within the benefits system, including recovering debts generated by Personal Independent Payments (PIP). Conservative MP Sir John Hayes asked DWP what steps it is taking to 'tackle people fraudulently claiming PIP'.
In a written response, DWP Minister Andrew Western, explained new measures being introduced to 'prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen'. This includes 'introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts'.
Mr Western said: ' DWP is committed to tackling fraud and error in the benefits system and to the recovery of debts, including those generated by Personal Independent Payments. Working closely with counter fraud experts, the DWP has introduced measures to prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen.'
New DWP measures to tackle benefit fraud
These include:
Strengthening the Identity and Verification Process to prevent fraudulent cases entering the system
Introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts
Delivering awareness sessions for Case Managers and Healthcare Professionals, reinforcing action to take when suspicious cases are identified - for example, fake documents
The Minister continued: 'DWP is delivering against key counter fraud activity, including investing in counter fraud professionals and building data analytical capabilities. The new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will bring forward new measures to tackle fraud in the system.
'Details on the measures the Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course.'
The DWP pays benefits to nearly 24 million people across Great Britain, including 3.7m on PIP. The latest DWP report shows £330m was lost to fraud and error in the PIP system last year, up from £90m in 2023/24.
Fraud and error in the welfare system cost the taxpayer £9.5bn in overpayments last year, compared to £9.7bn in 2023/24.
Fraud
This guidance on GOV.UK explains that this relates to claims where all three of the following conditions apply:
the conditions for receipt of benefit, or the rate of benefit in payment, are not met
the claimant can reasonably be expected to be aware of the effect on their entitlement
benefit payment stops or reduces as a result of a review of the claim.
Claimant error
These are overpayments where claimants have provided inaccurate or incomplete information, or failed to report a change in their circumstances which has led to an overpayment, but there is no evidence of fraudulent intent on the claimant's part.
Official error
This is where benefits have been paid incorrectly due to a failure to act, a delay or a mistaken assessment by the Department, a local authority or His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, to which no one outside of that department has materially contributed, regardless of whether the business unit has processed the information.
Last year, Mr Western clarified that the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill 'will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money'adding that banks and financial institutions will share 'limited information' with the Department to 'help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules'.
The DWP Minister said: 'As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money.
‌
'It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules - for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity.'
He added: 'The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent.
'If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes.'