DWP To Use Welfare Robots for Universal Credit Claims

The United Kingdom’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will use 100 “welfare robots” in a move to improve claims processing for Universal Credit (UC). While the artificial intelligence development is still underway, the DWP has finished 16 bots and is currently using them now for simple tasks, Mirror reported.

This is part of the Department’s initiative to automate the entire process of claiming financial assistance, from sending messages and payment to determining whether details of applications are true. The bot will compare applications to thousands of claims and categorize them accordingly.

DWP To Use Welfare Robots

A report from the mirror clarifies that the AI will be used to flag applications that can be “handled swiftly” and those that are “complex and need further investigation by a human being.” According to the DWP, this innovation will accelerate the process and minimize the number of proof claimants that needs to present.

Concerns by claimants

With the drive for automation, claimants are expressing concern regarding the DWP’s move toward intelligent automation. According to The Guardian, claimants are worried that the “digital by default” process can drive them deeper into poverty.

Frank Field, chairman of Commons work and pensions select committee said that claimants “will be left at the mercy of online systems” that highly depend on algorithm. He also stressed that this move will remove the “social” aspect of “social security.”

In light of these concerns, the primary details of the automation remain undisclosed as the DWP has “refused freedom of information requests” asking for clarifications on its data gathering methods. However, authorities emphasize that while the process will be assisted by artificial intelligence, humans will make the final decision.

Aside from automating the process, the DWP is also looking into the feasibility of deploying chatbots to address claimants’ concerns and queries.

RELATED ARTICLES

Program for an Electric Vehicle Tax Credit for Union-Built Vehicles
Credit

Program for an Electric Vehicle Tax Credit for Union-Built Vehicles Faces Obstacle

House Democrats' plan to provide customers with an additional option to encourage union-built vehicles has sparked controversy and discussion among legislators, manufacturers, and other parties. The House Ways and Means Committee last week cleared the tax breaks for consideration in the Democrats' $3.5 trillion budget bill measure, despite vocal objections...
Williams-Sonoma Key Rewards Credit Card Program
Credit

Williams-Sonoma and Capital One Introduce The Key Rewards Credit Card Program

Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a leading American home retail company, revealed that it has partnered with bank holding company Capital One to introduce the Key Rewards Credit Card Program. The company’s top-level Key Rewards program is upgraded with new credit cards. Cardholders can accumulate rewards when they shop at Williams Sonoma, Inc....
Federal Bank Credit Cards In Partnership With Visa
Credit

Federal Bank Introduces Credit Cards In Partnership With Visa

Federal Bank has announced the introduction of its credit card in India. To offer credit cards to its current clients, the private banking company has collaborated with Visa, the worldwide financial services corporation. As per Shyam Srinivasan, Managing Director and CEO of Federal Bank, the issuance of the card would...
Wells Fargo Personal Credit Lines Closure Plan
Credit

Wells Fargo Drops Personal Credit Lines Closure Plan

Wells Fargo & Co. sparked a public outcry when it announced plans to phase down personal lines of credit in July, but the firm will reverse direction on August 18, 2021. Customers who have been using their personal credit lines have just received notice from the San Francisco-based lender...
Universal Credit Human Rights Legislation
Credit

The Reduction in Universal Credit Violates Human Rights Legislation

According to the UN's poverty expert, reducing universal credit by £20 per week is an "unjustifiable" decision that violates human rights law and would certainly lead to an expansion of poverty. The retreat of the £1,000-a-year uplift from next month, according to Olivier De Schutter, the UN-appointed chair of the...
Credit Cards Dark Web Data Leak
Credit

Hackers Leak 1M Credit Cards on the Dark Web

One million stolen credit cards have been posted by hackers on the Dark Web through AllWorld.Cards. The act was reportedly done by cybercriminals in an attempt to promote their activities and operations, as well as make their organization known. The leaked credit card information was discovered by cybersecurity researchers from...
Carter’s Child Tax Credit May Boost Children’s Apparel Business
Credit

Carter’s Says Child Tax Credit May Boost Children’s Apparel Business

Carter’s, an American retailer for children’s apparel, says that with the new child tax credit rolling out across the United States, and as the usual shopping for back-to-school resumes, the company is confident about its opportunities. To meet the consumers’ demand, the company is being compelled to pay extra to...
Younited Credit Yields Million in Fund
Credit

Younited Credit Yields $170 Million in Fund Round

Younited Credit, a France-based company, has secured $170 million in fund round. Consumers in Europe can choose from a variety of credit options offered by the startup. It also employs a multi-distribution method. The funding round, which is led by Goldman Sachs, has participants including existing investors such as Bpifrance,...
Sterling Construction Modifies Credit Agreement
Credit

Sterling Construction Modifies Credit Agreement with BMO Harris Bank

Sterling Construction Company, Inc. has modified its current credit agreement with BMO Harris Bank, its lending group. It has revealed that numerous terms of the agreement are revised. Two of the terms include lowering the existing credit agreement borrowing interest rate by 2% points and reducing the credit agreement's future...