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.
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
