Universal Credit claimants are being warned they could lose their payments or face legal action if they fail to report changes in their circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP has outlined 17 specific changes that must be reported as soon as they happen, including updates to contact details, bank information, address, and rent.
Failure to notify the DWP of these changes can result in serious consequences, such as having to repay overpayments or even being taken to court. Official guidance on GOV.UK states: '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 DWP emphasises that changes can affect the amount of Universal Credit paid for the entire assessment period, not just from the date they are reported. Claimants are urged to report any changes immediately to avoid discrepancies in payments.
To report a change, claimants should sign into their Universal Credit account online using the username and password created during their initial application. If forgotten, a reminder can be requested from the DWP. If an overpayment occurs due to a late report, claimants may be required to repay the excess amount.
