Universal Credit claimants could go to court if they fail to report certain changes | Personal Finance | Finance

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned Universal Credit claimants could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if they give wrong information about their circumstances. People can report a change of circumstances by signing in to their Universal Credit account.

Universal Credit is a payment to help with someone’s living costs. People may be able to get it if they’re on a low income, out of work or they cannot work.

Universal Credit is paid monthly and is based on someone’s circumstances each month.

This is called their ‘assessment period’ and it starts the day they make their claim.

People will get one standard allowance for their household.

READ MORE: Full list of bank branch closures from HSBC to Barclays – over 400 to close this year

How much they’ll get – monthly standard allowance

• If they’re single and under 25 – £292.11
• If they’re single and 25 or over – £368.74
• If they live with their partner and you’re both under 25 – £458.51 (for both)
• If they live with their partner and either of they are 25 or over – £578.82 (for both)

Changes in circumstances can affect how much they’re paid for their whole assessment period – not just from the date they report them.

Changes can include:

• finding or finishing a job
• having a child
• moving in with your partner
• starting to care for a child or disabled person
• changing your mobile number or 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

On the DWP website it states: “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.”

If someone cannot claim online, they can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline.

If individuals already get benefits or tax credits, they should work out if they’ll be better off before they or their partner claim Universal Credit.

If they apply for Universal Credit those benefits might end and they will not be able to apply for them again, even if their application is not approved.

To check if someone is better off, they can:

• use a benefits calculator
• contact the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service
• ask a local benefits adviser

To apply online people will need their bank, building society or credit union account details, an email address and access to a phone.