DWP says people in five circumstances will have their benefits 'stopped'

A report published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last week shows that 24% of new claimants did not know how to get Universal Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions has explained five circumstances which will see your benefits stop. A report published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last week shows that 24% of new claimants did not know how to get Universal Credit.

And one in five claimants (19%) did not know what would happen if they did not comply with the rules of the benefit. Sumi Rabindrakumar, head of policy and research at Trussell, said: “This research shows how vital personalised support offers are – particularly for people with ongoing barriers to work.

“Trussell’s community of food banks hear every day from people too fearful to apply for support from our social security system, and who feel they cannot trust our social security and employment support systems to provide the compassionate, tailored support they need to afford the essentials and prepare for, enter and sustain work.”

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Reasons you may see your payments stop include:

Benefit sanctions

When you claim Universal Credit, you will be set certain things you have to do in order to get your Universal Credit payments. This is called your Claimant Commitment or your Work Related Requirements. What these are will depend on your circumstances.

If you don’t do something you were supposed to do, and you don’t have a good reason for not doing it, then you will be sanctioned. This means that some of the money from your Universal Credit will be taken away for a set period.

You've been overpaid

Your benefit payments will be reduced until you’ve paid back the money. You can use the DWP service to check how much you owe, check when you will have repaid the money and get help and support to make repayments. If you’ve stopped getting benefits you can use this service to check how much you owe, set up regular monthly payments, manage an existing Direct Debit or flexible payment plan, pay back what you owe in full and get help and support to make repayments.

You’ll need a credit or debit card to make a payment through this service. Your bank may charge you a fee if you pay by credit card.

Changes in circumstance - or a pay rise

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house. Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away. Changes can include: starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship.

If you’re employed, your Universal Credit can be affected and reduced depending on how much you earnings. As your income increases, your monthly payment for Universal Credit can be reduced until you earn enough to need the financial support no longer.

You owe money

If you've taken out an advance payment, hardship payment, or budgeting advance, it will be deducted from your future Universal Credit payments.