New government powers will allow the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to request limited financial information from banks in a bid to detect fraud and errors in the welfare system, raising questions over how far the checks will go and what protections remain in place for claimants.
DWP Eligibility Verification System Explained
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced new Eligibility Verification Measures (EVM) aimed at improving oversight of benefit payments across the UK. The system will initially apply to Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants.
Under the scheme, banks may be asked to help identify accounts that match specific eligibility indicators linked to benefit rules set by the DWP. These indicators are designed to highlight potential cases where benefit conditions may not be met.
Focus On Savings And Eligibility Rules
One of the main checks involves identifying whether claimants exceed savings thresholds set under benefit regulations. For Universal Credit, savings above £16,000 may trigger a review under the system.
The DWP has also indicated that eligibility indicators could include signs that a claimant has spent extended periods abroad, which may affect entitlement to certain benefits. Officials say the aim is to reduce overpayments caused by fraud, claimant error or administrative mistakes.
Strict Limits On Information Shared With DWP
The DWP has stressed that strict legal safeguards are in place regarding what financial institutions can share. Banks will not be allowed to provide transaction histories, spending data or account statements.
They are also prohibited from sharing sensitive personal information, including political views, religious beliefs, ethnicity or health data. Instead, banks will only confirm whether specific eligibility indicators have been met.
What Banks Can Report To DWP
Under the rules, financial institutions may only return limited information when an account meets defined criteria. This can include basic identification details such as names and dates of birth, along with confirmation that a financial threshold has been exceeded.
The DWP has said that this information alone will not result in automatic decisions on benefit entitlement. Each case will still require further assessment using existing records and additional checks where necessary.
Safeguards And Review Process
Officials have confirmed that no decisions will be made automatically based solely on information provided by banks. Instead, any flagged cases will be reviewed individually before further action is taken.
A “test and learn” phase will also be introduced, involving a limited number of financial institutions before wider rollout. This will allow the DWP to assess accuracy, effectiveness and safeguards before expansion.
Fraud And Error Estimates
The DWP estimates that overpayments due to fraud and error reached around £9.6 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. The new monitoring system forms part of wider efforts to reduce these losses while maintaining safeguards around personal financial data and claimant privacy.
