Overview

• Official guidance says failing to report changes or mistakes can reduce or stop payments and may require repaying overpaid amounts plus a £50 penalty.
• Claimants must contact the correct team for each benefit they receive, such as using a Universal Credit online account or calling the Pension Service, Carer’s Allowance Unit or Disability Service Centre.
• Personal Independence Payment rules state both components stop after 28 days in an NHS hospital, and the daily living component stops after 28 days in a publicly funded care home, with mobility potentially continuing.
• PIP recipients must report plans to be abroad for more than four weeks and provide dates, duration, destination and the reason for travel.
• Reportable changes include work and income shifts, people moving in or out of the household, caring responsibilities, pregnancy, changes to other benefits and immigration status, with prosecution possible for deliberate non-disclosure.