Change of circumstances must be reported as soon as possible or claimants could see their payments sanctioned or even stopped
Universal Credit is a crucial financial support for around 8.4 million people across Scotland, England and Wales, but some could be putting their payments at risk if they don’t keep the DWP updated with certain things happening in their lives.
The Department lists 17 of these events, known as changes of circumstances, that claimants have to report as soon as possible or they could face being sanctioned, in debt to the DWP or have their payments stopped outright. In some cases, this can even be seen as benefit fraud which is a criminal offence.
Certain life changes need to be reported to the DWP because it could how much you are entitled to and delaying the report could mean you receive too much or too little in your next payments.
Changes of circumstances can include:
- finding or finishing a job
- having a child
- moving in with your partner
- starting to care for a child or disabled person
- your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- changing your mobile number or email address
- moving to a new address
- going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
- going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
- changing your bank details
- your rent going up or down
- changes to your health condition
- becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
- if a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life
- changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
- changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
- changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
Turn2Us advises that anyone who is in trouble because they didn’t report changes in their circumstances to “get expert advice as soon as you can”.
DWP guidance on Gov.uk warns: “You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.
“Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them.”
If you receive more money than you are entitled to, this is known as an overpayment. You will need to pay back the extra money you weren’t entitled to.
The DWP might reclaim these funds from:
- Future benefit payments
- Wages
- Getting a court order to recover the debt
If you were receiving less money than you were entitled to, this is known as an underpayment and you could be entitled to back payment from the DWP. This could be paid as a lump sum and in some cases it can affect means-tested benefits.
Changes to circumstances can be reported online by signing in to your Universal Credit account.
