Project Overview
A DWP-contracted digital supplier piloting a digital identity verification service for Universal Credit claima...
Technology Stack
Compliance & Standards
The Challenge
A DWP-contracted digital supplier piloting a digital identity verification service for Universal Credit claimants — enabling claimants to verify their identity digitally (replacing the legacy JobCentre Plus face-to-face verification). UK GDPR (benefits data is sensitive), DIATF (Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework) — DCMS-led UK digital identity framework, WCAG 2.1 AA, GDS Service Standard Beta assessment, GOV.UK Sign In integration, and the One Login beta programme were the requirements. Budget: £90,000.
Our Approach
DCMS Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework
identity document verification (passport, driving licence — liveness check + document authenticity), biometric facial comparison (photo on document vs selfie), address history verification (credit bureau match), and confidence level (Low/Medium/High).
UC claimant verification
Medium confidence (one identity document + biometric) required for UC claim.
Provider
- iProov (biometric) + Thales (document verification).
- GOV.
UK Sign In and One Login Integration
GOV.UK Sign In (One Login beta): DWP pilot integration with DCMS's shared government identity service.
OIDC integration
One Login issues identity tokens on successful verification, DWP service accepts token and retrieves verified identity attributes.
Benefits
claimant completes verification once for all government services (not separately for each DWP, HMRC, DVLA benefit claim).
UC claim linkage
verified identity token linked to UC claim record in UC Digital platform.
UC claimants include high proportions of
- low digital literacy, disability, and vulnerability.
- WCAG 2.1 AA is the minimum — ClickMasters implemented WCAG 2.2 (AA) which adds additional criteria for cognitive accessibility and mobile device use.
Plain English
- identity verification instructions at Flesch reading ease >
- 65 (primary school reading level).
Alternative pathway
for claimants who cannot complete digital verification (no smartphone, disability), automated JobCentre Plus appointment booking.
UC claimant data
personal data (name, address, NI number) + sensitive data (financial circumstances, disability status).
Legal basis
public task (Article 6(1)(e)).
Special category
disability (Article 9(2)(b) — employment and social security).
Data minimisation
digital verification service receives only the identity attributes needed for verification — not full benefit entitlement data.
DIATF attribute sharing
only verified identity attributes shared between services (not underlying evidence documents).
The Results
GDS Beta assessment: passed first attempt.
DIATF Medium confidence certification achieved.
Platform live at 14 weeks, £82,000 — under budget.
Digital verification rate: 78% of UC claimants completing digital verification in pilot (target: 70%).
Biometric liveness pass rate: 94% first attempt.
Accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA — zero non-compliances in Cabinet Office monitoring.
Face-to-face verification time saved: 42 minutes average per claimant.
“GDS first attempt. 78% digital verification in the pilot — above target. The One Login integration means claimants verify once for all government services. The accessibility work reached 78% despite including claimants who have historically struggled with digital services. 42 minutes per claimant saved in JobCentre Plus — at UC scale, that is hundreds of thousands of staff hours." — Programme Director, DWP Digital Supplier (name withheld)”
Project Details
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