The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that there are 20 specific changes in circumstances that Universal Credit claimants must report, or they risk facing a £50 civil penalty. This penalty applies to recipients of Universal Credit as well as those on other benefits who fail to notify the DWP of changes, potentially leading to overpayments.
Civil Penalty Details
Since October 2012, the DWP has had the authority to impose a £50 civil penalty on benefit claimants who have received an overpayment due to not reporting a change in their circumstances. This penalty is added on top of the overpayment amount that must be repaid. The DWP emphasises that claimants must be vigilant in reporting any changes to avoid these penalties.
How to Challenge a Civil Penalty
If you believe you have been overpaid but should not have received a civil penalty, you can challenge the decision. The first step is to request a Mandatory Reconsideration of the decision. You have one month from the decision date to do so. In your request, you should explain why you think the penalty should not apply. If the DWP does not change its decision, you can appeal to an Independent Tribunal. You only have one month from the date of the DWP's decision on your Mandatory Reconsideration request to appeal.
20 Changes You Must Report
The DWP has listed the following changes that must be reported:
- Changing your name or gender
- Finding or finishing a job, or working different hours
- Your income going up or down
- Starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship
- Moving house
- People moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner, a child or lodger)
- The death of your partner or someone you live with
- Having a baby
- Starting or stopping caring for someone
- Getting married or divorced
- Starting or ending a civil partnership
- Planning to go abroad for any length of time
- Going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation
- Any changes to your medical condition or disability
- Changing your doctor
- Changes to your pension, savings, investments or property
- Changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity)
- Changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets
- You or your partner getting back-pay (sometimes called ‘arrears’) for salary or earnings you’re owed
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
For more information about how to report a change in circumstance and when, visit the gov.uk website.
