How to report changes to your circumstances
If you’re on Universal Credit, the quickest way to report a change of circumstances is by signing in to your Universal Credit account and selecting ‘Report a change’ from the ‘Home’ tab. You can also report a change of circumstances by contacting the Universal Credit helpline.
Here are some short videos that explain how to report changes in your situation on your Universal Credit account.
How to tell DWP about a change in your situation
How to tell DWP that you are living with your partner
How to tell DWP about a change in your money, savings and investments
Working for yourself
If you need to update your work status – for example, you are now self-employed or earning money working for yourself, you need to report this on your Universal Credit account.
If you are working for yourself, you must report your business income and expenses each month to Universal Credit.
Other benefits
If you’re on other benefits, you’ll also need to report your change of circumstances:
Pension Credit – call the Pension Service helpline or report changes by post.
State Pension – Manage your State Pension online or by phone or post.
Attendance Allowance – call the Attendance Allowance helpline.
Disability benefits – call the Disability Service Centre to report changes if you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Carer’s Allowance – report a change online or call the Carer’s Allowance Unit.
Housing Benefit – tell your local council about changes if you get Housing Benefit.
Child Benefit – report changes using the Child Benefit online service or call and 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.
Claim reviews
Your benefit might be checked at any time to see if your circumstances are up to date. If you’re receiving Universal Credit, you’ll be contacted though your online account by a claim review agent who can also help you update your circumstances.