The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning to benefit claimants regarding 20 specific changes in circumstances that must be reported. Failure to do so could result in a £50 fine and potential suspension of benefit payments. This applies to individuals receiving Universal Credit and other benefits.
Since October 2012, the DWP has possessed the authority to impose fines on claimants who have been overpaid due to not informing authorities about changes in their circumstances. While only certain changes need to be reported—such as a change in address or income—it is crucial that claimants notify the DWP promptly.
The penalty for not reporting a change is £50, which will be added to the total overpayment amount that must be repaid, according to the Express.
Challenging a Civil Penalty
Turn2Us explains: "If you agree that you have been overpaid but you don't think you should have been given a civil penalty, you can challenge the decision. You will first have to request a Mandatory Reconsideration of the decision. You have one month to request Mandatory Reconsideration."
It added: "You should explain why you think you should not have been given a civil penalty. If the DWP does not change their decision, you can appeal to an Independent Tribunal."
Turn2Us continues: "You only have one month from the date of the DWP's decision on your request for Mandatory Reconsideration to request an appeal."
Changes You Need to Report
- 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 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.
