The Department for Work and Pensions enforces strict rules around Universal Credit eligibility
Universal Credit recipients are at risk of losing their payments if they fail to report one of 17 crucial changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP enforces stringent rules around Universal Credit eligibility, with alterations in personal circumstances potentially impacting the amount claimants receive.
Not disclosing these changes could lead to serious repercussions. Key updates that need to be reported include changes to contact information, banking details, residential addresses, and rent adjustments.
It is critical to inform the DWP of these changes, as neglecting to do so could result in hefty penalties. You could even face legal trouble if you undergo a significant change in circumstances and it is later discovered that you didn’t notify the DWP.
Official advice on GOV.UK cautions: “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 also emphasises the crucial importance of declaring any changes “as soon as they happen” to ensure accurate Universal Credit payments and avoid having to repay money due to overpayments.
The DWP guidance outlines 17 changes that must be reported, stating: “Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them.”
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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:
- Changes to your health condition
- Changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
- If a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life
- Starting to care for a child or disabled person
- Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
- Changing your bank details
- Having a child
- Changing your mobile number or email address
- Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
- Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
- Moving to a new address
- Finding or finishing a job
- Your rent going up or down
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- Moving in with your partner
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
Reporting a Universal Credit change
To report a change that could impact your Universal Credit payments, claimants should sign into their Universal Credit account online. To access the account, you will need the username and password created during your initial Universal Credit application. If you don’t have on hand, you can ask the DWP for a reminder.
Keep in mind that if it’s found you were paid too much money as a result of not reporting a change in circumstances straight away, you may have to repay some of the money given to you through Universal Credit.
Further details on the DWP’s overpayment policy can be found on GOV.UK here.