Reports say mobile apps produced by the Department of Human Services are so bad that they have led some to miss receiving their benefits.

DHS runs 12 applications for smartphones, intended to allow clients to do routine Medicare, child and income support transactions without physically going to a government office.

But the apps have been slammed by users, who say the Express Plus Medicare and Express Plus Job Seekers are the worst.

Human Services says 3.7 million versions of its apps have been downloaded and used to process 36 million Centrelink and Medicare transactions.

The department says the apps are improving all the time, but reviews from online app stores shows there may be much more work to do.

Express Plus Medicare has been described as a “horribly non-functional app”, “useless”, “horrible” and “truly awful” in online reviews.

While there were definitely reports of satisfaction with the apps, when they worked, but most were scathing.

“I can't believe how bad this app is,” one commenter wrote.

“Loads a blank page most of the time.

“I have no idea if my claim went through and will just have to keep checking my bank account to see.”

Another called the Express Plus Medicare service “absolutely useless”.

“This really is an example of how not to do an app.

“Slow illogically placed icons, poor overall design.

“Truly awful.”

But it was not just a matter of mild inconvenience. Some users reported being told by Centrelink staff to go home and use the technology, but then lost money when it did not work.

“This app has cost me the last 4 Centrelink payments because of not being able to report and missing out on payments until they work it all out,” one comment said.

A Centrelink spokesperson said the apps were bringing Australia's welfare system into the cyber age.

“These are the first government, authenticated, transactional mobile apps in the world,” she said.

“There have been 3.7 million downloads of the apps and more than 36 million transactions have been completed through them.

“The department constantly monitors the performance of the apps, including collecting feedback from user comments on iTunes.

“We treat this review process very seriously, which we use to help inform regular upgrades.”