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Universal Credit claimants' bank accounts can now be checked under new DWP powers

From 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions will begin issuing Eligibility Verification Notices to require banks to provide data verifying Universal Credit claimants’ entitlement and some other means-tested benefits.
The Public Authorities Bill provides the legal basis for the measure, and DWP says it will gradually roll out the Eligibility Verification Measure in a test-and-learn rollout while Parliament could expand scope with approval.
Under the new process, banks must match account data to specified eligibility indicators and share limited details, while DWP leads inquiries and ensures human decision-makers oversee awards.
The change will target incorrect payments, with DWP estimating it will identify between 50,000 and 100,000 overpayments annually, linking to rules like the £16,000 savings limit, while State Pension is excluded.
BigBrotherWatch described eligibility verification notices as bank spying powers, raising privacy concerns about claimants' rights and bank data access, with public reaction questioning the extent of scrutiny.

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