Skip to main content
Guidance

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 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.

Health assessment recordings

If you want a copy of your health assessment recording, contact the Health Assessment Advisory Service using the details on your appointment letter.

More information, including other methods for requesting a copy of your recording can be found in the health assessments: audio recordings guidance.

State Pension forecast

If you want to know how much State Pension you could get you can check your forecast online.

Proof of benefits and State Pension

You can get proof of your benefits and State Pension online.

Request other information DWP holds about you

If you need a copy of anything else you can request your personal information online.  This form should not be used to request information on benefit rates and dates of payment. To get information about these things, find out how to get proof of a benefit.

You can also use the online form to request access to CCTV or Body Worn Camera footage of you in a DWP office. To help us find the footage, you should tell us: 

  • which building or location the recording took place 
  • the date and approximate time of the recording 
  • a short description of the event 
  • a description of yourself, including what you were wearing or doing at the time

Read about how DWP uses CCTV and body worn cameras.

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, 26.2 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.

Sign up for emails or print this page