There is a long list of changes in circumstances that affect your Universal Credit eligibility. This includes who you live with, as one Redditor is now learning the hard way a year later.
Taking to the social media platform for some advice, they explained that they had only just realised the major mistake in their Universal Credit claim. They had been claiming the benefit for two years, but for half of this they may not have been eligible for anything and had been incorrectly claiming the benefit.
The post read, according to Birmingham Live: “I was on UC for two years, the latter year my boyfriend moved in with me. It had been so long since I initially signed up for UC that I didn’t realise that living together would impact my benefits.
“I thought it was only if you were married and I guess I never corrected myself. I’ve been off UC for about six months and I only realised today that we should’ve filed for a joint claim.
“As he was earning £25k whilst studying, I believe I wouldn’t have got any money. I’m worried about this catching up to me legally. I work in the social sector now so have to renew my DBS, I don’t exactly want fraud to be on there!”
Many people in the comments said the same thing – the Redditor needed to inform the DWP and face the consequences. One added: “I’d definitely say it’s worth telling them sooner rather than later.
“If you’re honest and explain it was a genuine mistake, they’re usually a lot more understanding…They tend to go easier on people who come forward on their own.”
Being paid more benefit than you are actually entitled to is called an overpayment and can happen for a variety of reasons, including a fault at the DWP or employer errors. Turn2Us notes: “You will always have to repay overpayments under the Universal Credit system. It does not matter what caused the overpayment.
“If you think you are being paid too much benefit you should tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) straight away. This is because the longer you leave it the more money you will have to pay back.”
Usually, these overpayments are taken from upcoming benefit payments. However, when a claimant is no longer receiving benefits and still owes the DWP it could be taken directly out of your wages or your case could be passed to an independent debt collector or the DWP Debt Enforcement Team.
In circumstances like the Redditors’, civil penalties can also be applied. This is usually £50 for each overpayment and will be added to the total amount that must be repaid.
A year’s worth of Universal Credit is likely a hefty sum that many would struggle to pay off in one go. However, the Gov.uk site advised people that are struggling to repay their debt or need to rework their repayment plan should contact the DWP Debt Management contact centre. More information can be found here.
