Universal credit (UC) claimants are not always getting extra amounts of UC they’re entitled to when they become eligible for some other benefits because of poor data-sharing within the DWP.
Universal credit (UC) is now the main benefit for working-age people. It is claimed by people who are disabled and by those who are not, and by those who are working and those who are not. But how well does UC support those who might need more help to claim? In particular, does the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) respond to the needs of people with mental health problems to ensure they can access UC fully?
This report focuses on some of the problems UC claimants are experiencing both making a claim for UC and receiving accurate payments, which appear to be caused by the digitalisation and automation of the UC system. Claimants who have specific life circumstances are experiencing similar problems because the UC computer system seems unable to calculate their UC payment correctly and in accordance with the law.
