Overview
- In a Nov. 10–11 reminder, the DWP urged the UK’s 23.7 million benefit recipients to report life changes, spotlighting Universal Credit rules when living arrangements shift, such as moving in with a partner.
- Official guidance states that not reporting changes or mistakes can lead to overpayments that must be repaid along with a £50 penalty, and deliberate non‑reporting can be treated as benefit fraud.
- Claims can be paused, reduced or stopped if the relevant department is not notified straight away.
- Reportable changes include job or income shifts, moving home, people moving into or out of your household, hospital or care stays, births or deaths, changes to medical conditions, travel abroad, immigration status updates, and adjustments to pensions, savings or other benefits.
- Claimants must use the correct channel for each benefit, such as a Universal Credit online account or helpline, local councils for Housing Benefit, the Disability Service Centre for DLA or PIP, the Pension Service for Pension Credit, and the Child Benefit service.