The Department for Work and Pensions has broken its silence over the next steps for people who claim Personal Independence Payment. Andrew Western, the DWP minister and Labour Party MP, has promised to “tackle people fraudulently claiming PIP”.
He 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.”
Mr Western then said the DWP will aim to bolster the “Identity and Verification Process to prevent fraudulent cases entering the system” and bring in “more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts.”
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“Delivering awareness sessions for Case Managers and Healthcare Professionals, reinforcing action to take when suspicious cases are identified, eg fake documents,” it said. “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 Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course. More information on how the department tackles fraud and error across all benefit streams can be found on the DWP website.”
The DWP is committed to tackling fraud and error in the benefits system and to the recovery of debts. Part 1 of the Fraud, Error and Debt Report outlines what DWP has done to tackle overpayments and prevent loss. This section looks at performance against the fraud and error target. This includes the Department’s counter fraud functions, and savings from these activities in addition to upfront controls, and reporting on the 2023 to 2024 Fraud and Error National Statistics.
The chapter also outlines where DWP is going further through investment in data analytics and system changes to drive down overpayment levels in key loss areas.