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Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Universal credit administration  →  Thread

Landlords using tenants universal credit login details without permission

roecab
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Welfare benefits supervisor - Roehampton CAB

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We have had a number of clients, with the same LL, who have shared their UC login with their landlord, who are using that to request APA and also add subsequent journal messages, without knowledge or consent of the clients.

We know this goes against all the principles of UC and wondered if anyone else had ever come across this and if so what they did about it in terms of alerting the DWP etc

Also, is anyone aware of any policy that the DWP have to detect such things and or what they do when they discover this has happened?

Thank you in advance.

[ Edited: 24 Sep 2021 at 04:09 pm by roecab ]
Mike Hughes
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Senior welfare rights officer - Salford City Council Welfare Rights Service

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Can’t answer the question re: policy and action but I would actually disagree that this goes against any principle of UC. The reality is that a significant minority of UC cases are effectively managed by family, friends, front line workers, landlords etc. and UC are absolutely aware of that but unwilling to address it because if they were to do so, a significant number of those claims would simply fall to pieces and leave claimants who have zero possibility of managing on online claim adrift in a sea of financial vulnerability.

roecab
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Welfare benefits supervisor - Roehampton CAB

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In this case I can’t agree with you, although I get your point totally.

They are requesting payments made directly without the clients consent, and it seems also amending details about property i.e shared room but stating it is one bedroom, this landlord will also only take over 35’s can’t think why.

UB40
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Debt and Welfare Advice, Community Money Advice, Launceston

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If the UC Case Manager or Work Coach were made aware of this ( APA, Journal Messages without consent) they would be obliged to take action and an online FRAIMS form completed which would then be routed to a Compliance or Fraud Officer ( CFIS). The concern for the claimant is that the claim is suspended during the process.

roecab
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Welfare benefits supervisor - Roehampton CAB

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UB40

Many thanks, what is a FRAIMS form?

Cheers

UB40
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Debt and Welfare Advice, Community Money Advice, Launceston

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It is a DWP online form that collates information regarding the issue and goes to the local DWP Fraud and Compliance team. There are so many permutations though in your scenario not least regarding the possible vulnerability or intimidation of the claimant. It could be that the DWP arrange a home visit for the claimant, depending on those concerns.

roecab
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Welfare benefits supervisor - Roehampton CAB

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UB40

Many thanks, much appreciated.

BC Welfare Rights
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The Brunswick Centre, Kirklees & Calderdale

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The claimants can also set secondary security on their account to stop unauthorised access You get texted a code which is needed to log in along with the password, etc

Va1der
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Welfare Rights Officer with SWAMP Glasgow

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If these landlords are using personal data for their own gain a complaint to the ICO might also be worthwhile. Depending on the circumstances it sounds like it could constitute a reportable data breach.