All 7.5 million people claiming Universal Credit are at risk
Universal Credit claimants could face serious repercussions, including court action, if they do not inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of changes in their circumstances. Those receiving Universal Credit are obligated to notify the DWP about any life changes that may affect their benefit entitlement.
Failing to report these updates could lead to penalties, court proceedings or missing out on payments you’re entitled to receive. The DWP maintains a list of 19 key changes that must be reported promptly, cautioning: “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.”
These changes can include according to the Daily Record:
- Changing your mobile number or email address
- Moving house
- 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
- A medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life
- Changes to your earnings 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
- Getting a job
- Finishing a job
- Having a child
- Moving in with your partner
- Starting to care for a child or a disabled person
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
To notify the DWP of these changes, you will need to log into your Universal Credit account online and follow the instructions to report a change of circumstances. If you fail to report the change promptly or provide incorrect information, you may have received an overpayment of benefits which will need to be repaid.
Universal Credit recipients must also adhere to their commitments to prevent any impact on their benefit payments. The commitment is an agreement between the DWP and the recipient outlining how they will prepare for and seek work or increase their earnings.
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If the DWP determines that you are not doing everything possible to fulfil this commitment, your benefits could be sanctioned. This means the payments are temporarily reduced or completely suspended.
Your claimant commitment may change when you report a change of circumstances. For instance, if you have been informed that you are nearing the end of life, you will no longer require a claimant commitment and won’t face sanctions.
In certain situations, your commitment can also be paused, such as if you’ve suffered a bereavement or are at risk of homelessness. If you do receive a sanction, you may be able to get assistance if you can’t afford essentials like rent or heating.
These are referred to as hardship payments and must be repaid once your sanction or penalty has concluded. Typically, this is automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit payments. Further details on Universal Credit change of circumstances and sanctions can be found on the Gov.uk website.
