Universal Credit claimants face having their payments stopped if they don’t inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about a change in their circumstances.
More than six million people currently claim Universal Credit. Instead of being awarded a set amount, the benefit money you’re awarded is based on your personal situation - including if you’re in employment, if you have a disability, and who you live with.
Because of this, it is important to let the DWP if you’ve recently had any major life changes that could potentially affect your claim. If you’re paid too much Universal Credit, you will have to pay it back to the DWP and this is usually taken from your future payments.
The GOV.UK website 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. Changes can include:
- Finding or finishing a job
- Having a child
- Moving in with your partner
- Starting to care for a child or disabled person
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Changing your mobile number or email address
- Moving to a new address
- 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
- Changes to your earnings (only 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
You can report a change of circumstances by signing in to your Universal Credit account. Most employers will report your earnings for you, so you don't normally need to tell the DWP about your earnings unless you're self-employed.