Yahoo News People on Universal Credit may face a penalty or court for not reporting any of these 16 changes
New statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show at the end of July there were 7 million people claiming Universal Credit. The number of households on Universal Credit at the end of May this year was 5.7m, an increase on the 5.1m recorded for the same period last year.
The benefit is usually paid monthly, but can be paid fortnightly for some people living in Scotland. However, many claimants may not be aware 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 year that it now has “3,100 full time equivalent agents reviewing Universal Credit claims”.
DWP fraud and error review during this financial year
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.
The DWP will measure sample claims from the following benefits:
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit (pension age, passported cases)
Pension Credit
State Pension
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Carer’s Allowance
Change of circumstances you need to report to DWP
DWP guidance states you need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month. It adds 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.
Universal Credit (monthly rates)
Single claimants
Under 25: £311.68
25 or over: £393.45
Joint claimants
Joint claimants both under 25: £489.23
Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £617.60
Child Amounts
First child (born prior to April 6, 2017): £333.33
First child (born on or after April 6, 2017) / second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £287.92
Disabled Child Additions
Lower rate addition: £156.11
Higher rate addition: £487.58
Limited Capability for Work
Monthly amount: £156.11
Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity
Monthly amount: £416.19
Carer amount
Monthly amount: £198.31
Childcare costs amount
Maximum for one child: £1014.63
Maximum for two or more children: £1,739.37
Non-dependants’ housing cost contributions: £91.47
Work Allowances
Higher work allowance (no housing amount)
One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £673.00
Lower work allowance
One or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £404.00
Full details about Universal Credit for new and existing claimants can be found on GOV.UK here.
