Specialist guides and publications

This page lists specialist DWP guides and publications – including technical guides to benefits. Some of the guides are written for DWP staff and are published here for the use of advisers and others.

Subject areas

• Benefits
• Law
• Other specialist publications

Benefits
A-Z of medical conditions For staff who are Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance decision makers.
Agents, Appointees, Attorneys and Deputies Guide For staff dealing with agents, appointees, attorneys, deputies and third parties.
Appeals Procedure For staff dealing with appeals to an Appeal Tribunal.
Decision Makers' Guide For staff who make decisions about benefit claims.
Standards Committee (31KB) The DWP Decision Making Standards Committee was a non-executive body which, from 2003-2010, monitored the standards of decision making in benefits across DWP.
Help with collecting benefit payments A guide to the collection of benefit and pension payments by third parties.
Jobseeker's Allowance for 16-17 year olds – Making a Severe Hardship Decision (131KB) For staff who make Severe Hardship Decisions on Jobseeker’s Allowance for 16-17 year olds.
Social Fund Guide (3.2MB) – updated 27 February 2013 A guide for Decision Makers and Social Fund Inspectors for applications up to and including 31 March 2013.
Social Fund Budgeting Loan Guide (407KB) – updated 26 March 2013 A guide for Decision Makers and Further Reviewing Officers for applications from 1 April 2013.
Supporting young benefit claimants – Benefit Liaison Guidance Guidance is for local authority staff who deliver services for young benefit claimants.
Suspension and Termination Guide A guide for DWP staff involved in suspending and terminating a customer's payment of benefit and similar cases.
Technical guides Detailed benefit-related guides aimed at advisers and other professionals.

Other specialist publications
Authorised Officers – a guide to their powers Authorised Officers obtain information from employers, contractors, the self-employed, pension providers and licensing authorities.
Data sharing to tackle worklessness (265KB) February 2010 – designed for Local Authorities and their local partners the guide aims to tackle common misperceptions about the law and data sharing and clarify what data DWP is able to share with local partners for each of the most common categories of request.
Evidence of nationality – income-related benefits This statement sets out revised arrangements concerning the evidence that a DWP decision maker will require when making a decision concerning whether a claimant is a "person from abroad".
Fraud Act – Code of Practice on Obtaining Information (81KB) For staff who are authorised to obtain information under the Fraud Act.
Financial Redress for Maladministration (129KB) For staff who consider and make special payments and for other staff dealing with customer complaints.
Fraud Guide The Fraud Guide is used by DWP staff who investigate allegations of benefit fraud.
Journal of Occupational Psychology, Employment and Disability JOPED contains peer-reviewed articles written by DWP psychologists as well as non-DWP professionals working in the field of employment and disability and related areas.
Representatives, Guide to working with (78KB) For staff dealing with representatives – whether they are advice organisations, friends or family members.
Secure National Insurance Number (NINo) Allocation Process (SNAP) Guide The Secure National Insurance Number (NINo) Allocation Process (SNAP) Guide is used by Jobcentre Plus staff who allocate National Insurance Numbers.
Third Party Payment Creditor Handbook (132KB) updated November 2011 A guide for organisations that receive Third Party Payments from DWP – for example, for housing costs or fuel costs.
Third Party Payments – How to apply – A guide for new creditors (64KB) A guide for creditors – for example, utility suppliers and landlords.
Work Capability Assessment (WCA) Handbook (1MB)