Request your personal information from the Department for Work and Pensions
Find out how to ask for a copy of the information that is held about you. This is called the 'right of access' also known as a subject access request (SAR).
Overview
You can ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for a copy of information that is held about you. These are some examples of what you can ask for:
- your letter of entitlement or proof of benefit letter (if within the last 5 years)
- the amounts (rates) of benefit you get and the dates you’re paid
- your last fit note
- evidence used in a dispute or investigation
- work capability and health assessments
- your Child Maintenance Service account information
- any other information DWP holds about you
There are different ways to ask us for the information you need.
State Pension forecast
If you want to know how much State Pension you could get you can check your forecast online.
Proof of a benefit
You can use a proof of benefit letter to show your work history, prove that you live in the UK or that you’re entitled to things like:
- free school meals
- funding for eye tests, training and travel
- other benefits
It can also help with any TV Licence enquiries.
How to get proof of a benefit
Contact your benefit office
For information about most benefits you’ll need to contact the office that pays you. You can find their details on a letter they have sent you, or go to GOV.UK and search for the contact details of the benefit you get.
Use the online form for certain benefits
You can get a proof of benefit letter using the online form if you are currently getting:
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- State Pension
Universal Credit
If you’re claiming Universal Credit and have an online account, you can save a copy of your Universal Credit statement.
Request other information DWP holds about you
If you need a copy of any anything else you can request your personal information online. This form should not be used for simple requests such as benefit rates and dates of payment. To get information about these things, find out how to get proof of a benefit.
You can also write to DWP. Include a description of the information you want and the time period you need the information to cover and your:
- full name
- address and postcode
- date of birth
- National Insurance number
- telephone number if you’re requesting call recordings
Post your written request to:
Right of Access Requests
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 2EF
Request information on behalf of someone else
This guidance is for solicitors or other third parties.
You should write to DWP using the request form for third parties (ODT, 25.8 KB).
We will need to get the consent of the other person (the ‘subject’) before we can begin your request. The guidance in the form explains how we do this.
When to expect a reply
We will send you the information within one calendar month from when we get your request. If we need more information we will contact you .
How we collect and use information
The DWP personal information charter contains the standards you can expect when we ask for, or hold, your personal information. It also explains the other rights you have under data protection law.
Access to CCTV footage
The company that is responsible for the security of a DWP office normally controls access to CCTV footage.
If you want to access CCTV footage containing images of you in a DWP office, you should request it directly from the security company. Signs in the area covered by the cameras will display the name of the company and how to contact them. As CCTV footage is often only stored for a short time, you should make your request as soon as you can.
Updates to this page
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If you’re claiming Universal Credit and have an online account, you can save a copy of your Universal Credit statement.
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Added translation
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Re added link to 'request your personal information online'.
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Removed the link to the online request for personal information service as there is currently a problem with the service.
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Minor Welsh change to match English change
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Added a message that there was a problem with the online request for personal information service from 2.45pm until 6.15pm on Wednesday 7 June 2023. We may not have received your request if you requested personal information during this time. If you have not received your personal information, please submit a new request.
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Added a link to the Get a proof of benefit service.
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Added information about how to request footage from CCTV cameras at DWP offices.
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Added note advising people to resend any requests made between 18 October 2018 and 1 November 2018.
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Updated the personal information request form for third parties (ODT file).
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Updated the section about how to get proof of a benefit claim, including examples of what this information can be used for and that this can be requested from a benefit office.
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Added simplified third party request form.
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Updated the third party request form to reflect the new legal terms under GDPR.
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First published.