The DWP’s new, automated bank-account eligibility checks are scheduled to be phased in during 2026, following legislation that received Royal Assent in December 2025.
- The legal powers sit in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025, which gives DWP the right to require banks to run checks and share limited data (like balances and account details) for certain benefit claimants.
- The government has said these Eligibility Verification Measures will be implemented gradually throughout 2026, rather than on a single start date.
- Early rollout will focus on means‑tested benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit, to confirm savings/income stay within eligibility limits.
