CCM3150 – Liaison: External Links - DWP - Requesting Information from DWP

You can ask for information from the DWP for any purpose connected with a tax credit matter, provided it is for the purpose of carrying out your duties. You should only request information that is of value for your case, and you should not ask for information already available within HMRC.

The information must be held by the DWP for the purpose of its own functions, not collected solely to help you with yours. You must not ask someone in DWP to go out and get information you think will be useful to you. And you must not ask for any information verbally, either face to face or on the telephone, even if you know the person you are speaking to. Any information you obtain for the purposes of your tax credit examination can also be used more widely to support other functions, such as tax and NICs. So, for example, you can pass on information about a claimant who is also an SA taxpayer to the SA team, via the CCRO, if you think it might be of value for SA compliance.

You should send all requests in writing via your DWP liaison officer. Use the request form and state the reason for the request. DWP will only respond to requests made on this form. They will reply in writing. If the matter is particularly urgent you may fax your request and ask for a faxed response; but you must be aware of the need to maintain security.