Changes that may affect your Universal Credit
If your situation changes you should tell Universal Credit as soon as possible as it may impact on your payments.
Changes to your situation
You must tell Universal Credit about any changes in your situation, as this may affect your Universal Credit payments and change what you need to do to look for or prepare for work.
Changes can include:
- getting a job
- stopping work
- having or caring for a child
- moving home
- changing your bank account
- your rent going up or down
- becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
- a partner moving in or out of your home
- reaching State Pension age
This is not a complete list. For more information contact your work coach through your Universal Credit online account or call the Universal Credit Service Centre.
Messages to your online account will be answered as soon as possible during business hours.
When you reach State pension age, you will no longer be entitled to Universal Credit, unless you live with a partner who is under State Pension age.
Changes to your income
You must report changes to your income:
- if your employer does not take tax from your wage through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) (ask your employer if you’re not sure)
- if you receive income from a private or occupational pension or an annuity (a policy that pays an income)
- you receive income from self-employed work
You do not need to report:
- changes to your income if your employer takes tax from your wage through PAYE (details of your earnings will be provided directly to Universal Credit)
- changes to your other benefits
How to report a change
You must tell Universal Credit about any changes immediately, or your payments may be stopped or reduced.
You can report changes:
- through your Universal Credit online account
- by phoning the Universal Credit Service Centre
- by speaking to your Work Coach at your local Jobs & Benefits office
You must tell Universal Credit the date the change happened, giving as much information as possible about any changes.
COVID-19
All Jobs and Benefits offices are now open for business primarily on an appointment basis. If you arrive without an appointment you will be seen at the Welcome Desk, or an appointment will be arranged for a suitable date and time.
You will be asked to observe social distancing, to use hand sanitiser and to wear a face covering.
If you are asked to go to an appointment, it is important you turn up, as failure to do so may affect your payments.
If you are unable to use the telephony or digital services an urgent appointment can be arranged for you in your local Jobs & Benefits office. To arrange an appointment contact the Universal Credit Service Centre. You should tell Universal Credit when booking your appointment if you need interpreting support.
What happens if you do not report changes
You must report any changes in your circumstances to make sure you keep getting the right amount each month.
If you do not report a change:
- you may not get all the money you are entitled to
- you may get more money than you are entitled to, and you would have to pay this back
Your Universal Credit payment may be reduced or stopped if you do not report changes straight away.
Help and support
If you would like independent help and advice on Universal Credit, or any of the other welfare changes, you can visit any independent advice office or contact: