Universal-Credit-Guide-for-Private-Landlords - Manual / Resource - Page 18
Authority to discuss
UC with DWP
Q. Can my tenant give me authority to
discuss their claim with DWP– like we have
with our Local Authority?
No. UC is designed to place responsibility
on the tenant to manage their claim, their
award and rent responsibility.
DWP appreciate there are some claimants
that may not be able to manage aspects of
their claim without support from other
organisations, family, friends or their
landlord. However, if the tenant would like
to enable their landlord to discuss their UC
with the DWP they can not simply supply an
authority letter to last the duration of their
claim.
To ensure customers with complex needs
can still receive the support they require
from third parties, DWP have introduced
“Explicit Consent”
Online Explicit consent
The tenant is able to authorise a person to
discuss their claim with DWP for short
periods of time to cover specific issues,
queries and concerns regarding their claim.
To do this they should use their online
journal or discuss this with their work
coach, they must name the person they
would like DWP to discuss their claim with,
and highlight the aspect of their claim they
allow DWP to discuss.
For example if the customer has complex
needs and they believe there is something
wrong with their Housing Element, they can
write on their journal that they give consent
for DWP to discuss their Housing Element
with their landlord and give the landlords
name. This authority will last as long as that
concern or query lasts which is likely to be
one assessment period (one month).
Telephone consent
If the tenant is with you, they can call DWP
and tell the DWP they are happy for their
landlord to discuss their Housing Element
and pass the phone to you to discuss this
with DWP.
If the tenant is not present a three way
telephone conversation can be initiated by
DWP. The tenant must still advise the DWP
that they give consent for their landlord to
discuss their Housing Element and give the
DWP your name.
18
Universal Credit/Information for Landlords
April 2018
www.gov.uk/universal-credit
DWP service centre 0800 328 5644