DWP - does it expect you to have a computer?

Beenie · 12 October 2017 at 7:04PM

I am not a claimant myself but have been told that you are expected to have a computer (and email address) and a mobile phone as your means of contacting DWP (and vice versa).

Is that true? It’s very unfair on the many people who don’t have access to these things.

Prinzessilein · 12 October 2017 at 7:13PM

This would depend on why you need to contact the DWP....

I am on benefits....ESA (support) and PiP

I have never once been asked to contact the DWP via computer...or by my mobile phone. ...They send me letters...I contact them either by post (returning forms) or by landline (my mother makes the calls as I do not use a phone)

I believe that some forms CAN be filled in online of that is your choice, but handwritten is still accepted.

But....The 'new' benefit...Universal Credit is designed to be claimed online....but if you do not have a computer you can either use someone else's...or go to the library to use one...or go to the Job Centre (also an option if you are computer illiterate)

trigger_fish · 12 October 2017 at 7:17PM

Beenie wrote: »

I am not a claimant myself but have been told that you are expected to have a computer (and email address) and a mobile phone as your means of contacting DWP (and vice versa).

Is that true? It’s very unfair on the many people who don’t have access to these things.

Spoke to a few claimants in the library over time so presumably yes you need have internet access of some kind. You'd be seriously disadvantaged for job search otherwise. I've seen staff from the dole teaching them.

As to the mobile phone ringing the DWP wih any regularity would cost a fortune.

DWP - does it expect you to have a computer?

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