Information sharing with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

If you want to claim benefits for disability or ill health, you must provide information to DWP as part of the application process, to prove you are entitled to the benefit.

In the claim form, you will be asked for information such as:

• your personal details, for example your name, address, and date of birth
• the name and contact information of your GP practice
• the name and contact details of your hospital consultant, or other health or social care professional (if you have one)
• photocopies of hospital letters, reports, statements or diaries from family members or carers about your health issues, care, or treatment plans (if you have them to hand you do not need to go out of your way to obtain these)
• details about your disabilities, illnesses, or health conditions, and how they affect you

There are different stages of a claim when this information might be needed. It might be needed when:

• you first make a claim
• there is a change in your circumstances
• your claim needs to be renewed

As part of the claim process, you will be asked to give your explicit consent for your GP practice, hospital, or other health or social care professional, to share relevant information about your health condition with DWP.

You do not have to consent, though this may impact your eligibility to benefits if DWP do not have sufficient evidence for your claim. If you do not consent, DWP will make a decision based on the information they have already, as well as any information you provide in the claim form you complete.

Your GP, consultant or other health or social care professional may be asked by DWP to complete a short medical report. This report may include questions about:

• your disabilities
• your condition
• your symptoms
• the treatment you are receiving or have recently received, including recent hospital stays
• the impact on your day-to-day life and personal care activities

They will only share information that is relevant to your claim and information which you are aware of.

If you would like to know what information your GP practice, hospital, or other health or care setting has shared with DWP, you can send a request in writing to DWP asking for a copy of the report.