Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide (a) Hon. Members and (b) claimants with an email address by which personal independence payments claim forms can be sent to his Department in an electronic format, from which a proof of receipt be provided.

The Personal Independence Payment Service Design does not currently incorporate email as a correspondence channel.

The use of email is insecure and therefore DWP does not ask people to send personal details by email.

DWP would only use email with a claimant when it is requested as a reasonable adjustment because of disability. This may be agreed when a claimant has a disability which means they find it more difficult to communicate through the standard communication routes. The risks of data loss must be explained, and the claimant agree to the use of email.

DWP will always provide an email address to any claimant who requires a reasonable adjustment due to a disability.