People can now ask questions about State Pension, Pension Credit and other government support through a new AI-powered GOV.UK service designed to provide answers in seconds.
People with questions about their State Pension, Pension Credit and other UK Government support can now get answers in seconds through a new AI-powered GOV.UK tool.
The UK Government has launched GOV.UK Chat, a new service available through the GOV.UK app that allows users to ask questions in plain English and receive instant answers based on official government information.
The tool has been designed to help people find information more quickly without having to search through thousands of webpages or spend time waiting on government helplines. According to the Government, GOV.UK Chat draws information from more than 80,000 pages of guidance and can answer questions about benefits, pensions, childcare, tax, housing support and other government services.
People approaching retirement can use the service to find information about the State Pension, Pension Credit, housing support and Cold Weather Payments.
The UK Government said users can ask questions such as “What is Pension Credit and would I get it?” or “How do I find out how much State Pension I’ll get?” and receive answers based on official GOV.UK guidance.
The service can also direct people to useful online tools and calculators, including benefits checkers and other support services.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Modernising our digital services is central to building a government that works for everyone.
“For too long, navigating government has felt like a full-time job. Whether you’re a parent trying to find out what childcare you’re entitled to, a first-time buyer working out which schemes you can access, or someone approaching retirement, you shouldn’t have to spend time trawling through hundreds of web pages to get a straight answer.
“GOV.UK Chat changes that – putting clear, reliable information in people’s hands in seconds, at any time of day.”
The UK Government said the new service could help people identify support they may not realise they are entitled to and make it easier to access information about a wide range of schemes and benefits.
Examples highlighted by officials include helping parents understand childcare support worth thousands of pounds each year, helping first-time buyers find information about Lifetime ISAs, Stamp Duty relief and shared ownership schemes, and helping pensioners understand what support may be available in retirement.
The tool can also help users find information about apprenticeships, maternity pay, driving licences, tax rules and support available to businesses.
Research cited by the UK Government suggests that up to half of questions currently asked through government helplines could potentially be answered by GOV.UK Chat.
The launch comes as some government call centres handle around 100,000 calls every day, with ministers saying the new service could help reduce pressure on frontline staff while making it easier for the public to access information.
GOV.UK Chat is available through the GOV.UK app. Users need to download the app and sign in or create a GOV.UK One Login account before accessing the service.
What can GOV.UK Chat help with?
The Government says people can use the tool to find information about:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Benefits and financial support
- Childcare support
- Housing support
- First-time buyer schemes
- Tax and National Insurance
- Apprenticeships
- Maternity pay
- Business support
UK Government helplines and existing support services will continue to operate for people who need personalised assistance or help with more complex issues.
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