28
Most underpayments stem from claimants with health conditions not reporting worsening circumstances.
Conclusion
DWP confirmed that most underpayments stemmed from people with health conditions not informing DWP when their condition had deteriorated. It acknowledged that it needed regularly to encourage people to come forward about changes of circumstances and make it easy for them to do so. It also stressed the importance of trust – creating an environment in which people think that they will be treated fairly if they tell DWP that their condition has worsened.56 Written evidence from Sense highlighted, however, that 43% of claimants with complex disabilities do not have their needs met through DWP’s communications, even when they had shared their preferences with DWP.57 Overpayments
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 6 May 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
6th Report - DWP Customer Service and Accounts 2023-24
31 Jan 2025
HC 354
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
1.6 yrs
Report published
31 Jan 2025