Warning as DWP Universal Credit payments could be stopped | Personal Finance | Finance
A total of 17 changes to a Universal Credit recipient’s personal situation could put them in danger of having their payments stopped. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) maintains rigorous regulations surrounding Universal Credit qualification.
Changes in personal circumstances might impact the amount an individual claimant is permitted to obtain through the benefit. Not reporting these alterations could result in severe repercussions as you might be receiving more money than you’re genuinely entitled to.
Particular modifications requiring notification encompass detail updates, banking information, residential addresses, and rental 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 also emphasises the crucial significance of declaring any modifications “as soon as they happen” to ensure accurate Universal Credit payments and avoid repayments stemming from overpayments.
17 changes that must be reported to the DWP
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 earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Your rent is going up or down
- Changing your mobile number or email address
- Starting to care for a child or disabled person
- Changing your bank details
- Changes to your health condition
- Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
- Moving to a new address
- Finding or finishing a job
- Having a child
- Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
- If a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
- Moving in with your partner
- 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, it is recommended that you log into your Universal Credit account and submit it there. To access the account, you will need to use the username and password you established when you initially applied for Universal Credit.
If you don’t have this readily available, you can request a reminder from the DWP.
