Data sharing: guidance for local authorities on the use of social security data

This guidance aims to help local authorities decide whether they can use customer data, obtained for the purpose of administering social security benefits, to help improve delivery of other locally managed services and benefits. It is primarily aimed at Housing and Council Tax Benefit teams, but other local authority teams may also find it useful. It accompanies a separate DWP guide on Data sharing to tackle worklessness (265KB) , and a sector-led guide, Good practice in data sharing, that is now available from the IDeA website.

Because of the special importance that is attached to the confidentiality of social security data, local authorities cannot consider sharing or reusing social security data in the same way that they would share or reuse other data that they hold. This guide is intended to help local authorities to better understand some of the key considerations and constraints that frame how social security data can be used.

Any questions relating to this guide should be addressed in the first instance to Carol Foster Middleton at carol.foster-middleton@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

• Data sharing guide (197KB)