Support Needs of Health and Disability Claimants: privacy notice

Who will have access to my personal data?

For the purpose of data protection legislation, the DWP are the data controllers. NatCen is the data processor for the research. This means DWP are responsible for deciding the purpose and legal basis for processing personal data from this research. 

NatCen will carefully manage your personal data as part of our public task, which is our lawful basis for processing. All the information you provide will be held in strict confidence and held securely. 

NatCen is carrying out this research and will have access to the sample file of those receiving government benefits selected for the research (including contact details), survey data and sample file (including contact details). All responses are anonymised before being analysed. 

Formara are a printing company and will be printing the letters sent out to invite people to participate. 

These companies are vetted by NatCen with signed contracts and agreements already in place. These are refreshed every 12 months.

The DWP will also receive the anonymised survey data, which will be used for research and statistical purposes only.

How will my information be used?

The data collected will be used for research purposes only. 

NatCen will write a report about the main issues that people have talked about. NatCen will not name anyone in the report, and it will not be possible to identify anyone who took part in the interviews. The report will be published on the gov.uk website.

At no point will the individual who is managing your claim (or anyone at your local Jobcentre Plus) be able to identify you.

With your consent, your responses may be combined, for research and statistical purposes only, with information held by the Department for Work and Pensions and other approved government departments/organisations.

Data retention

All data stored by NatCen will be deleted once the report has been published March 2025.

The DWP will continue to securely store the collected survey data for an indefinite period. Your survey data will be anonymous. This means no one will be able to identify you from your answers.

Will I have access to the information I provide in the survey?  

Yes, but once the data has been made anonymous or survey results have been published, we will not be able to change the results. However, you may request that your personal data be deleted or updated.  We will let you know whether this is possible.

Who to contact if you have a query or complaint?

To contact the research team at NatCen, please email workandhealth@natcen.ac.uk or call 0800 652 4569 free of charge.

If you would like to contact DWP about this research, please email research.workandhealth@dwp.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about how your data will be used, you can contact NatCen’s Data Protection Officer at dpo@natcen.ac.uk. 

If you have any questions about how your data will be used, please contact the NatCen’s Data Protection Officer:

Data Protection Officer
NatCen Social Research
Kings House,
101-135 Kings Rd,
Brentwood
CM14 4LX
Email: dpo@natcen.ac.uk 

Data Protection Officers are responsible for upholding your rights and making sure we process your information correctly.

Under GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office. 

Contact Information

Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

Email: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/ 

Website: https://ico.org.uk/