How long are dwp records kept

Customer records are defined as any piece of information that relates to our claimants or customers regardless of its content and format.

The definitions are:. It is generally information that would be supplied in the event of an appeal or fraud investigation, or that affects the amount of benefit paid or maintenance assessment. See Section 3 for general guidance on retention of customer documents. These are of a general nature and do not affect the claim in any way.

For example, general enquiries, internal templates, front cover sheets. Specific retention periods apply for telephone calls recorded in DWP operations.

These are as follows:. All directorates must comply with the above guidelines. There can be exceptions where there is a departmental interest. See section 4 for further details of those exceptions. Where an interest applies the relevant call s can be retained for longer that the standard telephone retention period. An exception cannot be applied indefinitely and the retention reason should be reviewed to ensure continued compliance.

The following retention policy is applied to all non-telephone records in DWP :. As with telephone records, exceptions can apply to this. The DPA does not specify retention periods. The following standard responses must be used when members of the public make enquiries about the destruction of records:.

Destruction embargoes may be applied to our records from time to time based on business need. This can be applied to records irrespective of format. Please contact the Information and Records Management team for details of any such embargoes. The original should be returned to the claimant and the photocopy sent to remote stores.

Once a supporting document has been uploaded to DRS it can be destroyed. The standard retention period for telephone recordings and non-telephone records is set out at section 2.

Breaching this policy may result in a breach of section 3 of the acceptable use policy which could lead to disciplinary procedures. The DWP Security and Data Protection Team will regularly assess compliance with this Policy and may inspect technology systems, paper holdings, design, processes, people and physical locations to facilitate this.

All staff, contractors, third parties and suppliers, who create, handle or store information on the DWP estate are required to facilitate, support, and when necessary participate in these inspection requests. Employees are responsible for ensuring that they understand their responsibilities as defined in this policy and the acceptable use policy. Once this document has been read and understood by a member of staff they should record the information on their Security Code of Conduct.

To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Corporate information DWP: information management policies. Contents Introduction Purpose DWP information management principles for creating information Storing information Using and sharing information Disposing of information Compliance Print this page.

Introduction The Department for Work and Pensions DWP information management policy is designed to ensure that DWP retains only those documents and data which support business objectives; saves money by reducing information storage costs; protects against allegations of selective document destruction and manages our information risks. Through effective information management, the department will comply with the following obligations: the Public Records Act the Data Protection Act DPA the General Data Protection Regulation GDPR the Civil Service code states you must keep accurate official records and handle information as openly as possible within the legal framework.

DWP information management principles for creating information When creating information ensure that: 4. There is a specific business need or legal requirement for information to be created. There must be clear ownership of all information created. Data is only retained as long as instructed in the retention guidance. Information is recorded under the following categories: Corporate records — this includes all documents and data created by you in day-to-day business.

Departmental file naming and version control conventions are applied. Only the minimum amount of personal data is used for the business purpose. Storing information When storing information ensure that: You are aware of and follow the retention and destruction periods. All data is permanently deleted securely once there is no business reason to keep it. Using and sharing information When using and sharing information ensure that: Disposing of information When disposing of information ensure that: Response to this request is long overdue.

By law, under all circumstances, Department for Work and Pensions should have responded by now details. You can complain by requesting an internal review. Try opening the logs in a new window. Can you please tell me how long an individuals records are kept for claiming unemployment benefit.

This is an automated confirmation that your request for information has been accepted by the DWP FoI mailbox. By the next working day your request will be forwarded to the relevant information owner within the Department who will respond to you direct.

If your email is a Freedom of Information request you can normally expect a response within 20 working days. Should you have any further queries in connection with this request do please contact us.

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