Millions of Brits may be unaware of a mistake they’re making that could land them a penalty.
Millions of Brits could be hit with £50 penalties from DWP (Image: Getty)
Brits are being warned of £50 fines that they could face from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The governmental body has informed beneficiaries that failure to provide certain information could result in penalties, and warned that deliberately not reporting changes constitutes benefit fraud.
DWP said: “If you do not report a change or a mistake, you might be paid too much. If you are, you might have to pay some of the money back. You might also have to pay a £50 penalty.” Benefit fraud involves claiming benefits you are not entitled to on purpose by not reporting a change in circumstances or providing false information.
There are various changes that you must report to the appropriate organisation.
Additionally, how you report changes depends on which benefits you get, and so if you receive multiple benefits, then you will need to report to more than one organisation.
If you are a beneficiary of Child Benefit, then you must also report changes to your child’s circumstances.
If someone you know dies while receiving benefits, then the Government has a ‘Tell Us Once’ service that allows you to report a death to most Government organisations in one go.
What changes do you need to report?
- Changes to 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 you get 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
How do I report a change?
Universal Credit
Report changes using your Universal Credit online account if you have one or contact the Universal Credit helpline.
Pension Credit
Call the Pension Service helpline or report changes by post.
Call the Attendance Allowance helpline
Disablity benefits
Call the Disability Service Centre if you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Carer’s Allowance
Report a change online or call the Carer’s Allowance Unit.
Housing Benefit
Tell your local council.
Child Benefit
Report changes using the Child Benefit online service or call or write to the Child Benefit Office.
All other benefits
Call Jobcentre Plus to report changes. You need to have your National Insurance number when you call.
All details of the appropriate contacts can be found on GOV.UK
