Published 7 October 2010

Changes to evidence requirements

From 15 November 2010, DWP will reduce the number of documents we ask customers to provide to support their claim for benefits. We are able to do this by confirming a customer’s circumstances using information we already hold. This approach will help to identify customers whose information needs more rigorous checking and intervention, which will help to reduce fraud and error.

We will still expect customers to provide accurate and complete answers to questions. But they will not need to provide us with additional documentary evidence about subjects such as child benefit, voluntary work and hospital stays.

The new system has been carefully developed by looking at the most common areas where fraud occurs, to ensure that none of the items removed from the compulsory list of requirements will impact negatively on fraud and error offences.

These changes will result in a more effective and efficient claims process for both customers and staff.

Circumstances we will not seek additional documentary evidence for:

• Child Benefit
• Child, spousal maintenance 
• Shares and National Savings Certificates
• Permanent health insurance
• Voluntary work
• Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Special Occupational Disregard (where customers have an occupation bringing in a wage that is not applicable to benefits)
• Proof of a previous Work Capability Assessment or Personal Capability Assessment
• Notional income
• Ex-prisoners
• Backdating credits for Incapacity Benefit
• Dates in hospital
• Previous work
• Dates of work abroad since last claim
• Other benefits
• Details of company directorships
• Student income and loans
• Dates in education and training
• Personal injury payment

Circumstances we still require additional documentary evidence for:

• Proof of identity
• Habitual residency (whether a person is treated as resident in Great Britain)
• Savings, capital, investments, deprivation of capital
• Current work and ancillary work
• Other money and income
• Second property and land
• Self-employment (including shared fisherman)
• Medical certificates
• Mortgage, mortgage payment protection insurance, housing costs paid by a customer, service charge, ground rent, tenancy agreement
• Non-dependants
• Non State Pensions and occupational pensions
• Age
• Death
• Marital status
• Birth