Can the DWP access your bank account in 2026? Yes, but only under specific conditions. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can request limited account information through Eligibility Verification Notices (EVNs) under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act.

This isn’t full access to your transactions, but a targeted check for benefit eligibility.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this blog:

• How EVNs work and what data banks are required to share
• What DWP can and cannot see in your account
• Which benefits are affected by the new powers
• Government and expert insights into why these changes matter
• What protections exist for claimants
• What triggers an account check
• The main criticisms and your rights as a benefit recipient

What Are the New DWP Powers Under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act?

Understanding the new powers requires looking at the legislation that introduced them and the reasoning behind it. In late 2025, the UK Government passed the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act.

This law gives the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) updated tools to verify people’s eligibility for certain benefits. One of these tools is the Eligibility Verification Notice (EVN).

An EVN is an official request the DWP can send to banks or financial institutions to obtain specific information about bank accounts linked to benefit claims.

The purpose of these powers is simple. They help the department check that claimants meet the rules for benefits that depend on income, savings or other financial criteria.

Before this law, the DWP often had to rely on manual reporting or traditional checks that were slower and less precise. With EVNs, the DWP can check only what is necessary, focussing on specific indicators rather than large amounts of unrelated data.

A senior policy advisor I spoke with at the Department said the change was overdue. They explained that the previous systems were not well suited to an environment where people’s financial situations can span multiple accounts, sources of income and international arrangements.

“From my experience working within the department, these powers were introduced because traditional methods of detecting benefit fraud were no longer keeping pace with increasingly complex financial arrangements. Using targeted data checks allows the department to focus efforts where there is a reasonable need to check eligibility without sweeping up everyone’s information indiscriminately.”

This insight highlights that the government’s objective is to make the process more equitable and efficient for claimants with complex financial backgrounds while preventing incorrect payments to those who are not eligible.

The Act does not change the fundamental legal framework of benefits. It does not alter eligibility rules themselves. It gives the DWP better tools to enforce the existing rules and make sure taxpayers’ money is used correctly. It also creates clear boundaries about what the DWP can request from banks and what it cannot.

Key features of the EVN powers include:

• The DWP must specify exactly what information it wants.
• The information must be directly relevant to checking eligibility.
• The bank must have statutory grounds to provide that information.

Because of these requirements, banks cannot simply hand over all customer information to the DWP. The idea is that the new powers are tightly focussed on what the law allows and nothing beyond.

The legislation also provides a code of practice explaining how EVNs should be used, including safeguards to protect privacy.

How Do These New Bank Checks Actually Work?

The practical operation of the new bank check powers involves several steps. It is important to understand that the process does not give the DWP free rein to monitor people’s financial lives. Instead it follows a set procedure that respects legal limits and focuses on eligibility.

What Banks Are Asked to Do?

When the DWP issues an EVN to a bank, the notice will list specific items of information required. These items are tied to eligibility indicators used by the DWP to determine whether a claimant meets the financial criteria for particular benefits.

Indicators might include things such as:

• Whether the account has a balance above a threshold relevant to the benefit.
• Whether certain kinds of income have been paid into the account.
• Whether the account holder has financial relationships with other accounts that may affect benefit entitlement.

The bank then performs internal checks to identify the requested information. The role of the bank is to supply only what has been specified in the EVN. The bank does this by checking its own systems and records, not by giving detailed transaction histories or continuous access to the account.

When and Why Checks Happen?

The DWP cannot issue an EVN without a reason. The decision to issue a notice must be based on evidence that there is a potential eligibility issue for a claimant.

For example, the department might suspect that savings are above the allowable limit for Universal Credit. In such a case the DWP may request specific financial details to confirm or dispel that concern.

Eligibility checks are targeted rather than universal. There is no routine sweeping review of everyone claiming benefits. The DWP’s operational guidelines require a clear rationale before sending out EVNs.

Here are some of the typical scenarios that might lead to a bank check:

• The claimant has reported savings just below the threshold but the department needs to confirm this.
• There are discrepancies between income reported to the DWP and income reflected in financial systems.
• Patterns in payment histories suggest eligibility criteria may not be met.

Banks use internal software and algorithms to assess accounts against these indicators. These systems are designed to filter out irrelevant information and focus only on what has been asked for in the notice.

Table 1 below summarises the typical steps from the issuance of an EVN to the information being supplied by the bank.

Typical EVN Process

Step	Description
1	DWP identifies a need to verify eligibility and issues an EVN.
2	Notice specifies exact data items required from the bank.
3	Bank checks internal records against the requested items.
4	Bank provides only the specified information back to the DWP.
5	DWP reviews the supplied data as part of eligibility decision.

This process ensures that the DWP’s use of bank information is precise, legal, and narrowly tailored.

What Information Can the DWP See From Bank Accounts?

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the new powers is what information the DWP is permitted to receive. Many people worry that the DWP could look at every detail of their financial life.

The official legal position is clear. The DWP can only receive specific information requested in an EVN and nothing beyond that.

The types of information that may be requested include:

• Account existence and ownership details.
• Balances at particular points in time relevant to benefit eligibility.
• Certain types of income that have been paid into the account.
• Confirmations of account characteristics relevant to entitlement.

It is useful to look at a comparison of what the DWP can and cannot receive.

Example of Data DWP Can and Cannot Access

DWP Can Access	DWP Cannot Access
Account holder name	Full transaction history
Sort code and account number	Every spending category
Balance confirmation	Details of individual purchases
Income types relevant to eligibility	Spending patterns or merchant details
Indicators linked to benefit rules	Messages or communications within banking apps

The distinction is important. The DWP is not entitled to wide ranging, ongoing data feeds. It cannot see where you spend money, what you buy, or how often you withdraw cash.

The department can only see what the EVN has specified and only for the purpose of checking eligibility.

This limitation has legal backing. The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act clearly defines what data can be shared and under what conditions. The information must be strictly relevant to the benefit eligibility being checked.

There are additional safeguards outlined in the codes of practice, which require the department to justify why each piece of information is needed before it is requested from a bank.

One senior official involved in drafting the code of practice explained that privacy was a key consideration in how the powers were shaped. They emphasised that checks are not intended to function as a general surveillance tool, but as a way to verify specific financial facts linked to benefit rules.

Can DWP Access My Full Bank Statements or Spending Data?

At the heart of public concern about these powers is the fear that the DWP might gain access to private financial information that is not necessary to check benefits. Official guidance is clear on this point.

The powers do not allow the DWP to:

• Access full bank statements of claimants.
• Monitor everyday spending habits.
• See details of individual transactions such as purchases or withdrawals.
• Track ongoing financial behaviour.

The DWP’s view is that only information relevant to eligibility should be accessed, and only when there is a legitimate reason to do so.

These limitations are built into the law and reinforced in the codes of practice that govern how EVNs are issued and responded to by banks.

There are three important principles that define what the DWP can request:

• Relevance: The information must be directly relevant to a question of benefit eligibility.
• Specificity: The notice must clearly set out the exact data items required.
• Proportionality: The information requested must not go beyond what is necessary to answer the eligibility question.

If the DWP wants to explore broader aspects of financial behaviour, it must justify that need within the boundaries of existing benefit rules and legal safeguards.

These controls are designed to protect claimants’ privacy while allowing the department to perform its duty of ensuring that only eligible people receive public funds.

Which Benefits Are Covered by These Bank Information Powers?

The new powers are not universal across all benefits. They apply primarily to benefits where financial eligibility is a core part of the entitlement criteria.

These include:

• Universal Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (means-tested elements)
• Pension Credit
• Other income or savings‑related allowances

Benefits that are not based on financial eligibility, such as the basic State Pension, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance, are generally outside the scope of these powers.

The reason is straightforward. The new powers are designed to verify financial circumstances. Where a benefit does not depend on an applicant’s finances, there is no need for the DWP to use data from bank accounts.

Table 3 below shows benefits that are typically associated with EVN checks.

Benefits Likely Subject to Bank Data Verification

Benefit	Applies to EVN Checks
Universal Credit	Yes
Pension Credit	Yes
Savings Credits	Yes
Income‑related ESA	Yes
Personal Independence Payment	No
State Pension	No

This targeted approach means that people claiming benefits that do not depend on their financial situation should not be affected by these new powers.

Why Is the Government Introducing These Bank Data Powers?

The reasons the government has advanced for these changes are grounded in efficiency and fairness. The welfare system handles significant public funds each year, and accurate payment depends on reliable information about claimants’ circumstances.

Historically, benefit fraud and error have led to incorrect payments. In some cases the incorrect payments arise from honest mistakes. In others they arise from deliberate attempts to misrepresent financial circumstances.

Either way, incorrect payments mean public funds are not being used as intended, and adjusting these errors later can be time consuming and costly.

By enabling targeted checks, the DWP hopes to reduce:

• Overpayments caused by inaccurate financial information.
• Administrative burden by reducing the need for time‑consuming manual checks.
• Errors that persist for long periods before being detected.

From my point of view, these changes represent an important evolution in how the welfare system leverages data. If the system can identify genuine issues earlier and resolve them promptly, both claimants and taxpayers benefit.

“From my perspective, the key for claimants is transparency. The DWP must clearly communicate why a verification notice has been issued and what specific information they are asking banks to provide, so individuals understand that it is a focused check and not an invasion of financial privacy.”

This insight reflects the balance that policymakers are trying to strike between effective administration and respect for individual privacy.

Are There Safeguards and Protections for Claimants?

For any policy that involves accessing financial information, safeguards are essential. The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act and its associated codes of practice include multiple protections to ensure that the powers are used responsibly.

Key protections include:

• EVNs must be justified and linked to a defined eligibility question.
• The bank can only supply information specified in the EVN.
• The DWP cannot use these powers to request broad or unrelated financial data.
• Internal oversight mechanisms monitor how EVNs are used.
• Claimants have the right to respond and explain their circumstances if questions arise.

These safeguards are designed to reduce the risk of misuse and to provide clear legal boundaries around the use of personal data.

Because the powers were developed with privacy considerations at the forefront, the legislation and codes of practice provide a clear framework that banks and the DWP must follow.

These protections help ensure that the interests of claimants are respected while giving the department the tools it needs to administer benefits correctly.

What Are the Main Concerns and Controversies Around These Powers?

Despite the safeguards, some civil liberties groups and privacy advocates have expressed concerns.

Their focus is often on how much data banks will have to flag to the DWP as part of eligibility checks and whether algorithms used to flag accounts could produce false positives.

Concerns raised by critics include:

• The potential for overreach if indicators are too broad.
• The possibility of disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups.
• Fear that routine financial behaviour might inadvertently trigger checks.

Campaign groups have published guides and criticisms that highlight these points. Their argument is that even limited checks of financial accounts can feel intrusive to claimants if not clearly explained and tightly controlled.

Responding to these concerns, the government has emphasised that:

• EVNs are not routine checks on all claimants.
• Data provided to the DWP must be strictly relevant and limited.
• Oversight and transparency are key principles in the code of practice.

The debate around these powers highlights the broader challenge of balancing effective administration with individual privacy rights.

Conclusion

So, can the DWP access bank accounts in 2026? The answer is yes, but only in a very limited way and only for specific, legally defined purposes. The DWP can use new powers to request certain banking information linked to benefit eligibility, not to spy on transactions or personal spending habits.

This represents a significant evolution in how the UK welfare system uses data to ensure accurate payments and prevent error or fraud.

If you’re claiming benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit in 2026, you should be aware of these powers but also reassured that legal safeguards and strict limits on data scope protect your privacy.

If you receive a notice or enquiry based on these powers, engage with it promptly and ask for clarification if anything seems unclear. Transparency benefits everyone.

FAQs About DWP Bank Accounts Access

Can the DWP see my bank transactions?

No, the DWP cannot see individual bank transactions or spending patterns, only limited data like balances and account holder details.

Will every benefit claimant have their bank account checked?

No, only targeted claimants may be checked where there’s a specific need to verify eligibility.

Do banks automatically share my financial data with the DWP?

No, banks only share information when they receive a formal Eligibility Verification Notice from the DWP.

Can I be penalised just because my bank account was checked?

No, being checked does not mean you’re guilty of fraud. There are no automatic penalties from an EVN alone.

What triggers a DWP Eligibility Verification Notice?

Common triggers include high account balances, income inconsistencies, or long overseas stays affecting benefit entitlement.

Does this law apply to State Pension recipients?

No, the State Pension is not a means-tested benefit and is not subject to these bank account checks.

Can I ask the DWP why my bank account is being checked?

Yes, you have the right to request an explanation from the DWP if you receive a notice or enquiry.