A parliamentary petition has been launched calling on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to end identity verification checks for Universal Credit claimants, branding the current system as 'humiliating' and potentially discriminatory.
Petition Targets Current Rules
The petition, which is open for signatures until 3 December 2026, challenges the requirement for claimants to take passport selfies and doorstep photos as part of the identity verification process. It argues that these measures are degrading and could disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals.
'Some claimants may be asked to photograph their passport next to their face and open their front door for photos,' the petition states. 'We believe this is humiliating, raises safeguarding and security risks, and could be discriminatory.'
The petition emphasises that 'claimants are not criminals' but rather 'vulnerable people who depend on this support to survive.'
Current Verification Methods
Currently, Universal Credit applicants must verify their identity through various methods, including online verification, face-to-face appointments, or documentary evidence. The system is designed to prevent identity fraud and ensure claims are linked to the correct individuals.
Next Steps for the Petition
The petition requires 10,000 signatures to receive a government response and 100,000 to be considered for parliamentary debate. With the petition remaining open until 3 December 2026, campaigners have ample time to gather support.
The DWP is led by cabinet members including Pat McFadden, Torsten Bell, and Sir Stephen Timms. The outcome of the petition could influence future policy on identity verification for benefit claimants.
