Members of Congress have called for changes in the law to prevent welfare claimants from suffering harm in government departments designed to help them.

In recent years, several people have died after the failure of their work and pension ministry.

The cross-party committee of members of Congress said new legislation from DWP and "entrenched cultural change" are needed to protect vulnerable clients.

A DWP spokesman said the government is currently consulting on a new approach to safeguards, "really supporting vulnerable groups."

The deaths of Errol Graham, Philippa Day and Kevin Gale have been widely criticized by DWP for handling vulnerable customers in recent years.

In Mr. Gale's case, the coroner stressed that "the current DWP procedure may be unrealistic for people with mental illness and can aggravate the symptoms".

Ask about the number and time of the DWP form required by the claimant to complete, the DWP consultant's phone queue time, and the requirements for appointments for people affected by mental health disorders for long distances.

Thursday's report and a report from the Pension Options Commission showed that since April 2015, the DWP has investigated the deaths of at least 274 people.

When there is a case where a charge is ruled by the DWP, the inquiry is reviewed internally, which can lead to serious harm or security concerns.

During the same period, 58 reviews were conducted on cases of injury to clients - but MPs said the scale of failure could be even larger.

"After dealing with DWP, people continue to face harm is an self-evident failure of protection in the system," said committee chairman Debbie Abrahams MP.

Ms. Abraham added: “Until recently, prioritizing people to start cutting costs again took precedence over providing support and care for vulnerable groups.”

“We hear evidence that the process of interacting with DWP…often leads to mental distress.

“The deep and deep-rooted cultural change in DWP is urgently needed to rebuild trust and to keep protection at the heart of policy making.

“Introducing a statutory obligation to protect the vulnerable claimants of the department is a fundamental part of it.”

The committee said a new law requires the country minister to be held accountable for maintaining clients and will ensure that everyone sees it as the responsibility of protecting the claimant.

Carl, 44, a former roofer from Croydon, south London, has "feeling very annoying and traumatic" in his first interaction with DWP.

He struggled for 18 months, but the back disease caused him to experience mobility problems and constant pain, requiring powerful painkillers.

After trying various fewer manual roles in 2018, such as plastering and carpet accessories, he realized he could no longer hold a job.

He applied for the first ever benefit application for universal credit, which led to the appointment of his local work center.

Carl said the work coach was "very disdainful and patronized".

“He said: ‘If you want our money, you will have to skip these basketballs.”

“I almost felt him trying to suggest that I was dishonest and I was wearing it.

"It was a very indifferent reaction. I hope that support can get a non-manual job."

Shannon Johnstone, 28, found himself asleep about seven years ago and turned to DWP for help, saying the advice “will definitely change lives for people…if they did it right”.

When her claim started, she remembers DWP telling her: “We can’t help you get homeless,” she said, which is understandable but offensive.

She didn't know if they forwarded her case to a homeless organization she had never been told about. Now, she welcomes the opinions of people who are advised to include in the design, planning and implementation of DWP policies.

“The people who know the (DWP) inspector interviews feel like,” said Shannon, who now works for charity expert links.

“They understand the feeling of collecting a lot of paperwork, so by including them in the design of the system, it will work better.”

The DWP said in a statement that the government is committed to protecting those who use their services “and restoring the broken welfare system we inherited for use for those who need it.

“That’s why we are currently consulting on new safeguards, and our reforms will improve people’s lives and rebuild trust by creating ways that truly support vulnerable groups.”

The spokesman added that the government is encouraging people to hear voices in consultations and help build a system that is “better for all”.