AQW 6577/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 15/02/2024
Answered On Date: 27/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what steps he is taking to minimise duplication of paper correspondence to members of the public, while ensuring an appropriate form of correspondence for those not comfortable using digital solutions.

Answer:

My Department works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to continually develop and modernise our benefit systems to reduce clerical and paper based processes. Recent examples of enhanced digitalisation in benefit administration include the new Get Your State Pension service and Universal Credit, where claimants can apply for benefit, maintain their claim and interact with staff online.

Work continues to develop increasingly digital solutions to modernise many of its complex range of older benefit systems, which will further improve digitalisation and the potential to reduce incidences of duplicate paper correspondence.

Claimants who are uncomfortable with, or not able to use, digital channels can continue to access support through our benefit specific telephony teams or in person at one of our 35 local Jobs and Benefit offices.