Guidance

How the deductions from benefit scheme works: guidance for creditors or suppliers

Guidance for current creditors or suppliers, for example, utility suppliers and landlords, on how the deductions from benefit scheme works.

Documents

Third Party Payments enquiry form (Word)

Third Party Payments enquiry form (ODT)

Form to change the name or address of a creditor or supplier (ODS)

Form to change the bank details of a creditor or supplier (Excel)

Form to change the bank details of a creditor or supplier (ODS)

Form to change customer reference numbers (Excel)

Form to change customer reference numbers (ODS)

Details

In certain circumstances, DWP can deduct money from a claimant’s benefit and pay it to a creditor or supplier to clear a debt for:

  • Council Tax
  • fuel costs
  • rent and service charges
  • water charges

The payments are called ‘third party payments’. This guidance is for creditors and suppliers receiving a third party payment. It explains how the scheme works for deductions from:

  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit

How to apply

Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit

Find out how to apply for deductions from Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Pension Credit to clear a debt.

Universal Credit

Find out how to apply for deductions from Universal Credit to clear a debt for:

Updates to this page

Published 1 November 2011

Last updated 2411 FebruaryApril 2025 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates
    1. Updated Form ePRS03 -- change customer reference numbers (Excel and ODS). An email address has been corrected.

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