Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether charities, local authorities and other third parties are permitted to contact the Risk Review Team on behalf of the claimant who has had their benefits suspended under the Risk Review Process.

The Risk Review Team follows standard disclosure and consent guidelines. Claimants have full access to information held on their account. If claimants feel unable to find the information or understand more complex issues, they may ask a representative to contact DWP on their behalf to obtain the information.

A representative is any person or organisation acting on behalf of or making enquiries for the claimant. This can be at any stage of the claimant’s Universal Credit claim. The customer must provide explicit consent to discuss their personal data with a third party; consent can be given over the phone, in person or through their journal.