Failing to tell the DWP about a change in circumstances could have some serious consequences.
Millions of Brits have been warned they could find their benefits cut off if they fail to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in certain circumstances. Your benefits could be reduced or stopped, and you could even be issued a fine if you do not report a change or mistake.
The DWP currently delivers benefits to millions of people throughout the UK. These financial assistance schemes are designed to support those who are unemployed or earning low wages, or who are unable to work due to chronic health issues or disabilities.
Numerous benefit recipients may be unaware that they must notify the DWP when specific changes in circumstances occur, and failure to do so could result in reduced payments or complete cessation. In certain situations, you must contact the relevant DWP department straight away, as reported by the Daily Record.
Official DWP guidance explains: “If you do not report a change or a mistake, you might be paid too much. If you are, you might have to pay some of the money back. You might also have to pay a £50 penalty. If you deliberately do not report changes, you’re committing benefit fraud.”
Changes you need to report to DWP
- Starting or stopping caring for someone
- Changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity)
- Finding or finishing a job, or working different hours
- Moving house
- Getting married or divorced
- Going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation
- Starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship
- Changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets
- Having a baby
- Changes to your pension, savings, investments or property
- Any changes to your medical condition or disability
- Starting or ending a civil partnership
- People moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner, a child or lodger)
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- Changing your name or gender
- Your income going up or down
- You or your partner getting back-pay (sometimes called ‘arrears’) for salary or earnings you’re owed
- Planning to go abroad for any length of time
- Changing your doctor
- The death of your partner or someone you live with
How to contact the DWP to report a change
Generally, you should reach out to the relevant department. If you are in receipt of multiple benefits, you’ll need to contact each respective department individually to report changes.
- Universal Credit – Report changes using your Universal Credit online account if you have one or contact the Universal Credit helpline
- Pension Credit – Call the Pension Service helpline or report changes by post
- Carer’s Allowance – Report a change online or call the Carer’s Allowance Unit
- Disability benefits – Call the Disability Service Centre to report changes if you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance – Call the Attendance Allowance helpline
- All other benefits – Report changes by calling Jobcentre Plus, you will need to have your National Insurance number when you call
Full details with direct links to each department can be found on GOV.UK here. The DWP is increasing its efforts against benefit fraud, with the new Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill confirmed to come into effect from 2026.
These measures, according to the DWP, will save £1.5 billion of taxpayers’ money over the subsequent five years.