Kevin Gale
6 Nov 2023 · Coroner Kirsty Gomersal · Cumbria
The coroner's concerns
1. overwhelming DWP forms
“The number of and length of DWP forms required to be completed can be overwhelming for someone with a mental health illness. This is perpetuated if the applicant cannot get help to complete the paperwork.”
2. long telephone queues
“There are long telephone queues to speak to a DWP advisor”
3. long travel distances
“Having to travel long distances for appointments can be detrimental for those with a mental health illness”
Responses
2023-0429-Response-from-Deparment-for-Work-and-Pensions.pdf ↗· Department for Work and Pensions
Stated action
“Collecting personal data from claimants is an essential part of any benefit claim, but DWP strives to make the process as straightforward as possible for its customers. Mr [name redacted] claimed Universal Credit ("UC"), a benefit that DWP has developed primarily as an online service.”