Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the problem of claimants of universal credit (a) having their application for that benefit delayed and (b) being unable to make that claim as a result of their abusers withholding required documentation.

Jobcentres have staff trained to support victims of abuse and can direct them to specialist organisations who can offer further support.

Claimants who are unable to provide documentary evidence can undergo a biographical test. Biographical questions are generated onto a BIO template using information held on the Customer Information System (Searchlight). This can be done by telephone or in person at a Jobcentre, and it does not cause any delay as it can be done within the first Assessment Period.

In addition, the Flexible Support Fund can be used to support the claimant obtain new ID in the form of duplicate driving licences, birth certificates etc, and can help with opening new bank accounts if necessary.

Claimants can also receive an urgent payment of their estimated Universal Credit award if required, resulting in 25 payments over a 24-month period.