Call for case studies: gaps in the UC claim form

CPAG’s 2023 report You Reap What You Code highlighted ways in which the UC claims process doesn't gather all the information necessary to make an accurate award from the outset. In particular, the form doesn't ask enough questions to determine whether a claimant is: 

• exempt from the shared accommodation rate. Under 35s in the private rented sector are generally subject to the shared accommodation rate of the local housing allowance. However, there are several exceptions to this rule including claimants in receipt of certain disability benefits, care leavers, claimants who have lived in homeless accommodation for three months or more while receiving certain support, and victims of modern slavery;
• entitled to an extra bedroom due to receipt of certain disability benefits. In specific situations, a claimant can be entitled to an extra bedroom under the rules if they or a member of their household are in receipt of certain disability benefits. The form currently only asks further questions (via a 'to-do')  if the claimant is a social rented sector tenant with a child in receipt of disability benefits. No further enquiries are made regarding claimants in the private rented sector, or adults in receipt of disability benefits in the social rented sector. 

It is our understanding this is still the case.

We want to hear about instances where claimants lose out because DWP failed to make enough enquiries in the above situations. Equally, we want to hear about any other gaps in the UC claims process.

For more information on these situations, see Chapter 6 of our Welfare Benefits Handbook (for subscribers): The housing costs element.