20 mistakes that could see your benefits from Universal Credit to PIP STOPPED
A HOST of simple mistakes could see your benefits stopped, from Universal Credit to PIP.
If you're on benefits, it's up to you to report any change in circumstances that might affect what you are entitled to.
If you do not, your claim might be stopped or reduced.
If you have been paid too much, you might have to pay some of the money back as well as a £50 penalty.
In a worse case scenario, not reporting a change in circumstances can be classed as benefit fraud which is illegal.
The types of changes in circumstances you have to report vary depending on your benefit.
However, there is a list on the government's website with the main changes you need to report. The list of 20 is:
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 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
If you claim Child Benefit, you also need to report changes to your child's circumstances.
starts getting Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
changes their name by deed poll
gets married or forms a civil partnership
moves in with their partner
goes missing
You also need to report if: your child is staying in or leaving education around their 16th birthday, they move away from home, they go into hospital or care, their gender changes or they die.
Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence
It's worth looking on the government's website for changes you need to report for your benefit.
Some benefits require you report specific things that you don't have to report if you're on another benefit.
For example, those on Universal Credit need to report if their rent goes up or down.
This is because housing costs impact what you receive in the housing element of Universal Credit.
Meanwhile, if you're on PIP, you need to report if you need more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks.
This is because the amount you receive in the benefit is based on how much you struggle with daily living.
How to report a change in circumstances
Who you need to report a change in circumstances to depends on what benefit you receive.
Here is how to report them for the main benefits:
Universal Credit - Report changes using your Universal Credit online account if you have one or contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Pension Credit - Call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 or report changes by post. The address is on the letters you get about your Pension Credit.
Attendance Allowance - Call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122.
Disability benefits - Call the Disability Service Centre to report changes if you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or PIP. The number to call is 0800 121 4433.
Carer's Allowance - Report a change online or call the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297.
Housing Benefit - Tell your local council about changes if you get Housing Benefit. You can find what local council area you fall under via www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Child Benefit - Report changes using the Child Benefit online service or call on 0300 200 3100.
All other benefits - Call Jobcentre Plus to report changes. You need to have your National Insurance number when you call. You can find your nearest Jobcentre Plus via find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk.
What happens if you don't report a change in circumstances
If you've not reported a change in circumstances and have been overpaid, you'll have to pay it back.
You should get a letter from DWP Debt Management explaining how to repay and manage any benefit money you owe.
You can pay back the overpayment in full or set up regular monthly payments.
If you need help managing repayments, you can contact the DWP Debt Management contact centre on 0800 916 0647.
If you are found to have been overpaid due to your own negligence or error you may also have to pay a £50 penalty.
If you're suspected to have committed benefit fraud, you'll be contacted by the DWP, HMRC, the Defence Business Services or your local authority.
If you are found to have committed benefit fraud, one or more of the following may happen:
you'll be told to pay back the overpaid money
you may be taken to court or asked to pay a penalty (between £350 and £5,000)
your benefits may be reduced or stopped
More information on this can be found via www.gov.uk/benefit-fraud.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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