AQW 11557/22-27

Mr Mark Durkan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle

Tabled Date: 08/05/2024
Answered On Date: 29/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any engagement his Department has had with the Department for Work and Pensions in relation to Universal Credit online identity verification issues for customers with a Northern Ireland-issued driving licence or Irish passport.

Answer:

The Universal Credit online Identity Verification system currently used by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not have the capability to recognise non-UK passports or Northern Irish driving licences.

I can confirm that this has been raised with DWP on a number of occasions, before and after implementation of Universal Credit in Northern Ireland.

DWP are reviewing identity verification functionality and have been advised of the Northern Ireland specific requirements.

In the meantime, ID verification can be completed using non-UK passports and Northern Ireland driving licences, as well as many other acceptable forms of documentation, at a face to face appointment in a Jobs & Benefits office. ID can also be verified via biographical questions or through a third party.