PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Social Security Benefits (9 September 2024)

The Department does not hold data on the current nationality of those claiming benefits. As such there are no plans to publish the total number of customers broken down by nationality for all benefits. Decisions regarding the development and publication of Official Statistics are the responsibility of the Chief Statistician.

DWP policy responsibility lies in establishing the eligibility of non-UK / Irish claimants to claim benefits. An individual’s specific nationality does not play a role in this. Eligibility differs by benefit but is usually determined by an individual’s immigration status, alongside their ability to meet the requirements of the Habitual Residence Test (for income-related benefits), the Past Presence Test (for disability benefits), and / or having the necessary National Insurance contributions (for contributions-based benefits).