Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what purposes jobcentre staff will visit claimants in hospital.

Officers from the DWP Visiting Team, as appropriate, visit claimants to support them in making an application for benefit or for on-going administration of their claim – for example if they have a change in their circumstances. The majority of visits conducted by DWP take place in a claimant’s home. However, an officer can also arrange an appointment at an alternative place, such as an information point (surgery) or hospital, if a claimant is deemed to be vulnerable or is in need of additional support when making an application for benefit or for on-going support. We may also visit centenarians to confirm they can receive and appreciate a congratulatory birthday card from the Queen.