DLA

[Foxyflugel]

Hi all

I was claiming the above, until the wave of kicking people off benefits came - this was around 3/4? years ago.

I discovered last week, from a neighbour, and not in a nice manner (used against me in an altercation) that he knew of my claiming and also the exact details of why!! I am furious about this - another neighbour who works for the DWP told him all this info.

What can I do about this breach of Data Protection? I gather their systems have a traceable record of which files they've accessed (including those unnecessarily).

Thanks in advance.

Foxy

[Amethyst]

Re: DLA

First of all you should contact the DWP office that this person works for and make a formal complaint about the breach of your privacy. Inform the DWP that information has been passed on to a third party with out your consent. Then once you have a response you can contact the ICO.

The DWP do have a compensation fund for 'maladministration' but I think the primary aim should be to ensure this member of staff at the DWP is admonished.

[bluebottle]

Re: DLA

Hi all

I was claiming the above, until the wave of kicking people off benefits came - this was around 3/4? years ago.

I discovered last week, from a neighbour, and not in a nice manner (used against me in an altercation) that he knew of my claiming and also the exact details of why!! I am furious about this - another neighbour who works for the DWP told him all this info.

What can I do about this breach of Data Protection? I gather their systems have a traceable record of which files they've accessed (including those unnecessarily).

Thanks in advance.

Foxy

Hi Foxy,

What you have highlighted is very serious indeed. ALL persons entering the Public Service (Civil Service) are required to sign a formal declaration to say that they will not disclose any information they come into during the course of and in the discharge of their duties without lawful authority. This can result in criminal prosecution if they do make disclosures without lawful authority.

In the first instance, I would make formal representations to the manager of the DWP office where your neighbour works, naming the other neighbour with the loose tongue and stating EXACTLY what they said word for word.

You should also contact your MP as they have access to the appropriate Minister and Secretary of State and let them know what has happened and what you are doing to try and get the matter resolved.

Try and let the DWP resolve this if possible, but have the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) on standby as what has happened is serious.

UPDATE
=====

A very helpful person at DWP has advised you should put the matter, in writing, and address to the Complaints Officer at your local Jobcentre Plus office. This is the first thing to do. As stated above, try and resolve matters with DWP before involving your MP and ICO.