Universal Credit claimants could see their payments stopped by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they fail to report specific life changes.
Some 7.6 million Britons across England, Scotland and Wales were in receipt of the primary mean-tested benefit payment at the end of March 2025.
As it stands, Universal Credit is paid monthly but is sometimes delivered every two weeks in Scotland, but sometimes eligibility for the payment can be removed.
If someone has a significant change to their life circumstances, they must inform the DWP as soon as possible to risk losing their payments entirely.
Universal Credit claimants need to report changes to the DWP
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Among the changes that need to be reported include switching bank accounts, moving house, or getting a new mobile phone number; as well as others.
On the gov.uk website, the DWP guidance 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.
According to the Government department, claimants must report changes "as soon as they happen" because any delay "may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment".
The DWP added: "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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Here is a full list of the 19 changes Universal Credit claimants will need to report to the DWP to avoid being charged:
- Finding a job
- Finishing a job
- Having a child
- Moving in with your partner
- Starting to care for a child
- Starting to care for a disabled person
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Changing your mobile number
- Changing your 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.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The DWP administers Universal Credit
PAClaimants are able to report any changes to their circumstances by signing into their Universal Credit account.
It should be noted that some Universal Credit claimants will need to repay money back to DWP if they have been paid too much money.
Money will need to be repaid if
- claimants do not report a change straight away
- claimants give wrong information
- claimants were overpaid by mistake.
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