The Department for Work and Pensions has warned that failing to report specific changes in circumstances could lead to court action
As many as 17 to a Universal Credit claimant’s circumstances could see their payments axed, the DWP has warned. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) enforces a raft of stringent regulations around Universal Credit qualification.
Shifts in personal situations can dramatically affect how much a claimant is eligible to get from the benefit. Failing to declare these modifications could land you in hot water, as you might end up pocketing more cash than you’re actually due.
Specific alterations requiring notification encompass updates to personal information, bank details, home addresses, and rent variations. Official GOV.UK guidance 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.”
The guidance further stresses the importance of flagging any modifications “as soon as they happen” to ensure accurate Universal Credit disbursements and dodge having to reimburse overpayments, reports the Express.
17 changes that must be reported to the DWP
DWP guidance states: “Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them.”
These changes include:
- Moving to a new address
- Changing your bank details
- Changing your mobile number or email address
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
- Your rent is going up or down
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
- Finding or finishing a job
- Changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
- Having a child
- Starting to care for a child or disabled person
- Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
- Moving in with your partner
- If a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life
- Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
- Changes to your health condition
Reporting a Universal Credit change
If you need to report a change that could affect your Universal Credit payments, it’s advised that you log into your Universal Credit account and submit the changes there. To sign in, you’ll need the username and password you set up when you first applied for Universal Credit.
If you don’t have these details to hand, you can request a reminder from the DWP.
