The Department for Work and Pensions maintains strict rules on who can receive Universal Credit, with changes to circumstances potentially affecting how much you get
People depending on Universal Credit risk losing their payments if they fail to declare one of 17 vital changes. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) enforces strict rules surrounding Universal Credit eligibility, with changes in personal circumstances potentially affecting benefit amounts.
Failing to disclose these changes could lead to serious consequences. Specific changes requiring declaration range from contact information nd banking details to residential addresses and rent adjustments.
Official 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.” The guidance additionally stresses the essential requirement to report any changes “as soon as they happen” to guarantee precise Universal Credit payments and prevent repayments arising from overpayments.
17 changes that must be reported
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:
- Having a child
- Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Changes to your health condition
- Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
- Moving in with your partner
- Changing your bank details
- Changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
- If a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life
- Finding or finishing a job
- Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
- Starting to care for a child or disabled person
- Changing your mobile number or email address
- Moving to a new address
- Your rent is going up or down
Declaring a Universal Credit change
To notify the DWP of a change that might influence your Universal Credit payments, claimants are recommended to log into their Universal Credit account and submit the information there. Accessing the account requires the username and password established during the initial Universal Credit application.
If you don’t have this to hand, you can ask the DWP for a reminder.