People on Universal Credit may face a penalty or court for not reporting any of these 16 changes
The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of January 2024 there were 6.4 million people claiming Universal Credit. That figure includes 2.4m people in employment and represents 38 per cent of all people claiming the income-related benefit.
The benefit is usually paid monthly, but can be paid fortnightly for some people living in Scotland. However, many claimants may not be aware that certain changes in circumstances must be reported to the DWP or it could impact their entitlement or payments and in some cases, lead to a penalty fine or even a court appearance.
Changes that need to be reported include getting a new mobile number or email address, switching to a different bank account, moving address and your rent going up or down. DWP 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 DWP confirmed earlier this week that it now has “3,100 full time equivalent agents reviewing Universal Credit claims”.
During the 2024/25 financial year, the DWP will measure a sample of claims from five specific benefits and the State Pension as part of its fraud and error exercise for 2024.
DWP fraud and error review during this financial year
The DWP will measure sample claims from the following benefits for fraud and error in 2024/25:
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit (State Pension age cases)
Pension Credit
State Pension (classed as a contributory benefit)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
In an update on GOV.UK, the DWP also announced the State Pension measurement will include claims administered through the ‘Get Your State Pension online' service in the financial year ending 2024.
This will also see the measurement of DLA for the first time since the financial year ending 2005, which concludes its response to a consultation that ran in summer, 2018. The DWP intends to publish the fraud and error report for the financial year ending 2024 in May of the same year (2025).
Change of circumstances you need to report to DWP
DWP guidance states that you need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month. It adds that you need to report changes “as soon as they happen” because any delay “may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment”.
DWP warns: “Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them.”
Changes can include:
finding a job
finishing a job
having a child
moving in with your partner
starting to care for a child
starting to care for disabled person
changing your mobile number
changing your email address
moving to a new address
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
How to report a change
You can report a change of circumstances by signing in to your Universal Credit account on GOV.UK.
Universal Credit payment rates 2024/25
If you're thinking about making a claim for Universal Credit, below is a quick overview of the current Universal Credit payment rates and the new rates due to start from May 14.
Universal Credit (monthly rates)
Single claimants
Under 25: £311.68 (from £292.11)
25 or over: £393.45 (from £368.74)
Joint claimants
Joint claimants both under 25: £489.23 (from £458.51)
Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £617.60 (from £578.82)
Child Amounts
First child (born prior to April 6, 2017): £333.33 (from £315.00)
First child (born on or after April 6, 2017) / second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £287.92 (from £269.58)
Disabled Child Additions
Lower rate addition: £156.11 (from £146.31)
Higher rate addition: £487.58 (from £456.89)
Limited Capability for Work
Monthly amount: £156.11 (from £146.31)
Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity
Monthly amount: £416.19 (from £390.06)
Carer amount
Monthly amount: £198.31 (from £185.86)
Childcare costs amount
Maximum for one child: £1014.63 (from ££950.92)
Maximum for two or more children: £1,739.37 (from £1630.15)
Non-dependants’ housing cost contributions: £91.47 (from £85.73)
Work Allowances
Higher work allowance (no housing amount)
One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £673.00 (from £631.00)
Lower work allowance
One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £404.00 (from £379.00)
Full details on Universal Credit deduction amounts based on household circumstances can be found on GOV.UK here.