8 January 2009
A programme of carrying out spot check home visits on incapacity benefit claimants to identify fraud and error has been introduced by the DWP, Benefits and Work can reveal.
Around 10,000 incapacity benefit claims per year are already subject to official error checks carried out using documentary records only.
However, from May of 2008 a new measure was introduced which involves 1,000 of these cases having an additional check via a home visit. Jobcentre Plus managers were informed of the new checks via last April’s confidential Jobcentre plus Managers update.
It is not yet clear precisely what the home visit is designed to check on: is it simply about such things as occupational pensions or does it also relate to claimed levels of incapacity?
Benefits and Work has requested disclosure of further information on the spot checks and we will pass on any information we receive.
