Overview
- The Department for Work and Pensions said it has received Martin Lewis’s letter and will respond, stressing the need to handle bank details securely to protect claimants.
- Lewis argues Universal Credit processes force many to attend Jobcentre appointments to verify new accounts, creating costs, lost pay and delays that deter switching.
- Digital banking is a sticking point, with paperless statements and numberless cards reportedly not accepted by some verification procedures used for Universal Credit.
- MoneySavingExpert proposes fixes including remote verification, flexible scheduling, home visits for disabled claimants, acceptance of digital evidence and safeguards against payment delays.
- Lewis copied the letter to UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and the Current Account Switch Service, and no operational changes have been announced to date.