Allowing claimants to sign on at their local Post Office

Pilot exercise to run for 13 weeks in Scotland and Essex

04 October, 2011

The DWP has launched a pilot exercise where claimants in rural areas will be allowed to sign on at their local Post Office.

The pilot, that commenced on 19 September 2011 in parts of the Highland and Islands of Scotland and Essex, will run for 13 weeks and involves seven Jobcentre Plus offices and 26 Post Office branches.

In the latest issue of its Touchbase e-zine, the DWP advises -

'Previously, some Jobcentre Plus claimants, who live in rural areas, maintained their claim by sending their declarations of unemployment and job search evidence to the Jobcentre by post. These customers are called Postal Claimants.

To provide a more active service and to demonstrate our commitment to working with other agencies, Jobcentre Plus, in conjunction with the Post Office, is conducting a Rural Signing Proof of Concept, directing postal claimants to attend their local post office to sign and hand over their declarations of unemployment, and evidence of jobsearch activity.

The trial will assess the feasibility of signing at a local Post Office branch and identify potential benefits, which could include minimised risk of fraud and error through strengthened verification of identity and secure transportation of documentation from the Post Office to Jobcentre Plus.'

When attending the Post Office branch, claimants will be asked for proof of identity; to sign a declaration of unemployment (ES24PJP); and handover evidence of their jobsearch (documentation they currently post to Jobcentre Plus).

Documentation handed to the Post Office will be retained until the end of each working day, at which time it will be sent securely and by guaranteed next day delivery, to the appropriate Jobcentre Plus office for next day processing.

For more information see the DWP's Touchbase e-zine (October 2011).