Compulsory to provide phone number...?

victoriav

I have just been chatting to a neighbour about this, he does not want to provide dwp with a home telephone number, (although because of his benefit being mucked up ( surely not...:rolleyes: ).....and him not able to pay phone bill he is currently without a landline anyhow) !

Is it compulsory to give dwp your home phone number? Previous they always communicated by letter, if it was good enough before then it is now.

Personally I think its a spurious reason for dwp to want it, this means they can call you at whatever time they like, catch a confused/ill person off balance, (unawares) look into your usage of calls and to whom. make unsubstantiated perceptions, etc, etc....

I told him to borrow somebody's mobile temporarily, if his benefit cannot be processed until he gives them a number, this must be a way around it.? Then like that he's done what they asked, and I can't imagine them being so keen to ring him on that mobile number., as and when they feel like it.

Maybe it's me? I just don't trust them from what I read on here, see in the newspapers, etc.

lisyloo

Can he just not say that he does not have a phone?
Unusual these days but not impossible.

CIS

More than likely its to speed things up, if hes having trouble getting it sorted then its much easier for them to ring and get information than to wait a week or so each time for the post.

kelloggs36

The DWP don't have time to go around making phone calls just to catch people out - unless it is the fraud department! It is so they can speed things up and is for his own benefit, but if he is prepared to wait because of snail mail then that's up to him.

kelloggs36

And it is a bit paranod to think they can pass nos on - they can't. there are extremely strict guidelines about this sort of thing and a sackable offence for using info for illegitimate purposes. The DWP have to watch their backs totally, so are less likely to misuse info than anyone else I should think.

msmicawber

I'm sorry nobody's answered your question about whether or not it's compulsory to provide a phone number. Hopefully, someone who works for the DWP will see your post and give you a definitive answer.

I would be surprised if it were compulsory, though, because homeless people and travellers who don't have permanent addresses are entitled to certain benefits and can't usually provide a phone number. Also, when working out how little a person can live on and what are necessities, I've never seen a telephone being listed.

I'd tell your friend not to worry about giving the DWP his number, though, as I've never known any benefits agency phone me or anyone I know, even when they've agreed to phone back.

astonsmummy

does he not have a mobile? i always give my mobile anyways as i'm always popping in and out.

kelloggs36

It isn't compulsory - it's up to him as I said, but it will just cause delays, so if he is happy with this, then that's fine.

seven-day-weekend

As others have said, giving the number is for his benefit, but if he doesn't want to provide it, just say he doesn't have a phone (he hasn't at the moment anyway).

seven-day-weekend

[QUOTE=victoriav

Personally I think its a spurious reason for dwp to want it, this means they can call you at whatever time they like, catch a confused/ill person off balance, (unawares) look into your usage of calls and to whom. make unsubstantiated perceptions, etc, etc....

.[/QUOTE]


Why on earth should they wish to do this?

kelloggs36

Some people think that the DWP don't believe most of their claimants are telling the truth and want to catch them out! Phoning them up isn't going to do this anyway is it? Nobody said that benefit claimants have to sit indoors all day! They have the same rights to go out and about as the rest of us, and don't have to justify themselves to anybody EXCEPT to prove that they have been actively seeking work which they are required to do whilst on JSA but not on other benefits. Personally I think that is being a bit paranoid, but that's just me. I would rather they could contact me by phone if it means speeding up my claim!

He can give a contact number that he has access to, as long as he makes it clear that it isn't his number.