The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is requiring the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to improve its treatment of disabled benefit claimants.
This is in response to serious concerns about failures to meet the needs of its customers with mental health impairments and learning disabilities.
Through 2021, the EHRC questioned DWP officials about the concerns that its legal obligations to disabled customers were not being met.
The DWP outlined the steps being taken to address the problems identified. However, the Commission has concluded that further action is necessary, given the seriousness of the issues.
The EHRC is therefore drawing up a legally-binding agreement with the DWP to commit them to an action plan to meet the needs of customers with mental health impairments and learning disabilities.
This legally-binding action plan is focused on resolving issues for DWP customers, and offers a fast, effective means of redress, and helps to avoid lengthy investigations.