Reporting a change of circumstance

Your Universal Credit payment is based on your (and your partner’s) situation during each monthly assessment period.  

If your circumstances change, for example due to a life event, the amount you receive could go up, go down, or stop altogether.   

What is a change in circumstance?  

A change of circumstance is a change in your personal, work or financial situation.  

This includes changes to: 

• Who you live with  
• Your work or earnings  
• Your health  
• Your rent or housing 
• Your children  
• Your savings or other money  

Changes affect your whole assessment period 

A change in circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period, not just from the date you report them. 

For example:  

• Conor’s Universal Credit assessment period starts on 3rd of each month.  
• He had a change of circumstance when he moved house on 21 May, and he tells the DWP.  
• Even though Conor moved house on 21 May, Universal Credit will treat him as if he lived at the new address from the start of that assessment period on 3 May 

It's important to report quickly

It’s very important to report a change in circumstances as soon as possible, to make sure that you don’t lose out on extra money or are paid too much.  

If you don’t report a change of circumstance and are paid too much, you will have a Universal Credit overpayment.  

Reporting specific changes of circumstances is outlined in your Universal Credit journal 

What happens if I don’t report a change in circumstance

It’s very important to report a change in circumstances. If you don’t you could be getting the wrong amount of Universal Credit.  

If you are getting too much it is an overpayment and you will have to pay it back. You could also be getting underpaid. 

How do I report a change in circumstance?  

You can report a change in circumstances by logging into your Universal Credit account and clicking on the ‘Report a change in circumstances’ button.  

You’ll then have the list of options to select from: 

• Work and earnings 
• Health  
• Living with a partner  
• Caring for someone  
• Bank account  
• Children and other people who live with you  
• Contact details  
• Where you live and what it costs  
• Going outside of Britain or Northern Ireland  
• Money, savings and investments.  

You should then click on the relevant section to your specific change of circumstance. 

If you have difficulty reporting a change in circumstances, you should leave a note in your journal or call the UC Helpline.