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  • Code of Practice on Obtaining Information

    Topics:
    • Benefits and pensions, 
    • Benefit fraud

    Date published: 20 July 2015

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    The Code of Practice on Obtaining Information provides guidance to staff authorised under law to obtain information from certain listed organisations on behalf of the Department in connection with benefit offences. The organisations listed include banks, credit unions, building societies and insurance companies and the type of information requested might relate to income or capital amounts owned by a person the subject of a benefit claim.

    A consultation paper was published on 7 October 2024 asking for views on a revised Code of Practice on Obtaining Information. The consultation sought comments on the changes made to the Code and to ensure that it was clear and simple to understand. The consultation ended on 17 November 2024 with the Department receiving three responses, raising twenty-one points. A consultation response report outlines the Department’s action for each response.

    Documents

    • Code of Practice on Obtaining InformationAdobe PDF (269.39 KB)

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