Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report of the Work and Pensions Committee, entitled Uses of Health and Disability Benefits, published on 3 February 2022, what steps her Department is taking to provide social security information and signposting to those who are digitally excluded.

DWP targets communications with citizens who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages in their lives, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The Department uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on GOV.UK, in leaflets and by telephone.

DWP staff in Jobcentres provide support and advice about entitlement to benefits and will signpost citizens to appropriate information to help them. The Department provides telephone service lines which citizens can call to make their claims to benefit and to operate their claims as well as a visiting service which can help vulnerable customers with their claims.

Jobcentres have internet terminals which are available for use by the public, and staff will signpost citizens to other community resources (libraries and Citizens Advice) which can also provide advice and internet access points.

Where an out of work claimant of working age is engaging with a Work Coach to gain suitable employment the Work Coach can consider using the Flexible Support Fund to address the claimant’s barriers to employment. This includes providing devices and connections to get online.