Benefits question

[polyanna18]

If a family member starts work for the Benefits agency will that person be able to access other family members benefit details

Thanks in advance

[stokemaveric]

i should imagine so polyana if they have access to the database that is.....my sis in law used to work at a local hospital as a receptionist and she could ''view'' almost anything if she had the desire to do so...........

[black bunny]

yes they have access to their details held on computer - BUT if they are caught accessing the details without a valid business reason, they will be in serious trouble which could lead to dismissal and legal action.

[fiesata]

Answer is yes, but it would be a disciplinary offence if they accessed the case without a business need

If you're worried write to the office concerned and explain that a family member works there and you would like your case made sensitive

Only downside is if you call about your claim other staff members will need permission to access the case so they would have to call you back

[black bunny]

fiesata,I think you and I work for the same organisation!

[bednobs]

As above really. I work for the NHS and in theory on my computer i could look up admissions to hospital and blood results of anybody who is a resident in my county, or has had dealings witht the local hospital. However, it is a disciplinary offence to do so, unless i need to in the course of my work.

Having said that, i'm not sure who monitors it, or if it would get picked up if i did it once or twice. I would go for that "sensitive" option outlined above if i were you

[polyanna18]

Thank you everyone for your answers - I thought maybe they would need your national insurance number first before they could access your benefits account - is this not so?

[monkeyeyes]

And don't forget, they will be bound by the Official Secrets Act.......

[tboo]

Polyanna
just a date of birth or address will do so a national insurance number isnt necessary but to ease your mind any access into the database is monitored and has to be justified - if you dont have a valid reason then you are disciplined, a colleague of mine was put onto 6mths work probation just for accessing her husbands details
and all family members receiving benefits have to be declared to HR so rest assured they will know if they start looking

[fiesata]

'quote fiesata,I think you and I work for the same organisation!''


Or we could be twins separated at birth lol

[wolf63]

I escaped from the benefits agency after 24 yrs and I agree.

The records of relatives are made 'sensitive'. But computer records don't hold much more than the basic information. All the paperwork and claim forms are usually held at another site. There is actually very little that a person can 'discover' about you.

[polyanna18]

Once again many thanks for all your answers