Parents who claim payments from benefits could land themselves in trouble for not reporting one major change to the DWP
New parents could be at risk of being convicted for benefit fraud for not reporting a major change in their lives. Guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) highlights that parents who are expecting a new baby must inform them.
This is because it represents a significant change in circumstances that may affect eligibility for benefits and how much a claimant could receive. The same guidance states that failing to do this by mistake could result in you being paid too much on your benefits which means you’ll have to pay back what you owe in overpayments.
You could also a flat penalty of £50. However, if the DWP believes you didn’t report a change in circumstance on purpose, it could result in you being prosecuted for benefit fraud.
If the DWP believes you’re committing benefit fraud it may stop all of your benefit payments while an investigation is carried out. An investigation will also include a visit from Fraud Investigation Officers as well as a potential interview around your claim, known as an “interview under caution”.
If it is decided that you have either committed or attempted to commit benefit fraud, you could be taken to court and asked to pay a fine of up to £5,000 as well as pay back any money you owe. You could also have your benefits reduced or stopped for up to three years if you’re convicted.
All the changes that need to be reported to the DWP
The DWP website lists the following changes that need to be reported as they could affect your benefits:
- moving house
- the death of your partner or someone you live with
- getting married or divorced
- changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- starting or ending a civil partnership
- any changes to your medical condition or disability
- planning to go abroad for any length of time
- changes to your pension, savings, investments or property
- finding or finishing a job, or working different hours
- changing your doctor
- having a baby
- people moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner, a child or lodger)
- changing your name or gender
- you or your partner getting back-pay (sometimes called ‘arrears’) for salary or earnings you’re owed
- starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship
- changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets
- starting or stopping caring for someone
- changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity)
- your income going up or down
- going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation
Exceptions to benefit fraud punishments for parents
If a parent is convicted of benefit fraud they will generally have their benefits reduced or stopped. However, a number of payments cannot be stopped or reduced.
This includes:
- Maternity Allowance
- Statutory Adoption Pay
- Statutory Paternity Pay
- Statutory Maternity Pay
Full details on the benefits and payments that are subjected to benefit fraud punishments can be found here.