How did the DWP Do this for Benefits?

[janeeire244]

If someone claims PIP and Universal Credit separately, how would the DWP immediately know?

For instance, my mum is my appointee for PIP and I get it but recently I made a claim for UC independently and the journal said that my mum needed to come to the identity appointment as my appointee.

How did they know this? Can they link separate benefits together?

Yes they can link claims. Your details for your UC claim matched the details you gave for your PIP claim. The DWP and local authorities also share data.

Presumably the DWP are responsible for both, and so they will both be linked to your account?

My daughter gets PIP (and previously DLA) and all the paperwork has her National Insurance number on.
I assume UC you have to provide that too?
So obviously it will all link up.

You have an appointee for the DWP, which includes PIP, so they will automatically be your appointee for all benefits. It is all linked through your NI number, name and address etc.

What if at any point I don’t want them to be my appointee anymore and want to be independent? What do I have to do? Do I have to be fully reassessed?

You phone up and tell them that you are now able to handle your own affairs and would like the appointee removed.