Lifestyle

DWP could knock on your door and here’s what you need to know before answering

Published on July 10, 2025

If someone claiming to be from the Department for Work and Pensions turns up at your front door, it’s natural to feel a bit unsure. But it’s not always something to panic about. The DWP does carry out home visits for some benefit claimants, usually to offer extra help with their applications. Still, there’s a process in place and a few things you should know to protect yourself from scams and avoid any confusion.

These visits aren’t something you can just book yourself. They usually happen when the DWP thinks you might need extra support, perhaps based on your personal circumstances. Sometimes charities like Age UK or Citizens Advice, if they’re helping with your claim, might also suggest you for a visit. But it’s the DWP who makes the call in the end, reported the Mirror.

Before anyone comes knocking, you should hear from the DWP Visiting Team first. They’ll usually give you a call to explain what the visit is about and what to expect. You might also get a text confirming the time and details, and typically a letter through the post as well. That letter should include everything you need to know – the date of the visit, what documents to have ready, the name of the person who’ll be visiting, and how to contact the team if you have any questions.

Now, in some rare cases where the visit’s arranged on very short notice, the letter might not arrive in time. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious. When someone turns up, always ask to see their photo ID. You have every right to check they are who they say they are. You can even match the name on their ID to the one you were given earlier by the DWP. If anything seems off, don’t be afraid to double-check.

If you’re worried about recognising ID – maybe you’re visually impaired or just want an extra layer of security – you can actually set up a password in advance with the DWP. The visiting officer will then use that password when they arrive, giving you peace of mind that the visit is genuine. But that does need to be sorted ahead of time.

There’s also the option of calling the number given in the DWP’s letter or text message. You can ring the Visiting Team to confirm the identity of the person at your door. It might seem like a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re dealing with the real thing.

So while a DWP home visit might sound intimidating, especially if you weren’t expecting it, it’s usually there to offer help rather than cause trouble. Just make sure you’re aware of what’s supposed to happen, who’s meant to be coming, and what ID they should be carrying. A bit of preparation can go a long way to keep things safe and stress-free.

Don’t Miss These: