Universal Credit claimants told to 'report themselves' to DWP as part of overhaul plans (0.00851063829787234)
<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52813883%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3DwYv7-rDQKJR" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/money/universal-credit-dwp-overhaul-next-week" target="_blank">Universal Credit claimants</a> are being reminded to "report themselves" and "provide evidence" to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).</p><p>The department is intensifying efforts to combat benefit fraud with new measures targeting Personal Independence Payment claimants and Universal Credit recipients.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>Fraud and error in the welfare system currently costs taxpayers almost £10billion annually, with a total of £35billion incorrectly paid since the pandemic.</p><p>The Government is preparing to introduce strengthened verification processes and new legislation through the upcoming Fraud, Error and Debt Bill.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Man looking at phone and Universal Credit sign " class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9fe8ec6c998c94ce83d59188195e84a2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="24034" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/man-looking-at-phone-and-universal-credit-sign.jpg?id=52490728&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><p>Officials are focusing on both individual claimants and criminal gangs who fraudulently access benefits.</p><p>New measures for PIP claimants include strengthening the identity and verification process to prevent fraudulent cases from entering the system.</p><p>The DWP is also introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts.</p><p>Case Managers and Healthcare Professionals are receiving awareness sessions, reinforcing actions to take when suspicious cases are identified, such as fake documents.</p><p><em><strong>Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected].</a></strong></em></p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Universal Credit sign outside Jobcentre" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9534b540fd62b4309558cf620873cf69" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="f3871" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/universal-credit-sign-outside-jobcentre.jpg?id=50527481&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><p>These steps were outlined in response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Sir John Hayes about tackling fraudulent PIP claims.</p><p>Labour MP Andrew Western, representing Stretford and Urmston, stated: "DWP is committed to tackling fraud and error in the benefits system and to the recovery of debts, including those generated by Personal Independent Payments."</p><p>He added: "DWP is delivering against key counter fraud activity, including investing in counter fraud professionals and building data analytical capabilities."</p><p>"The new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will bring forward new measures to tackle fraud in the system. Details on the measures Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course."</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="opinary-widget-embed" data-customer="gbnews" data-poll="have-you-used-a-benefits-calculator-to-c"></div> <script async="" src="//widgets.opinary.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><p>For Universal Credit recipients, the DWP has issued a reminder about their obligation to report financial information accurately.</p><p>Claimants must ensure they disclose changes to income, savings, or other financial circumstances that could affect their entitlement.</p><p>While most employed earnings are automatically received through the Real Time Information system, some cases require manual reporting.</p><p>Labour MP Sir Stephen Timms explained: "If earnings are not reported through RTI for any reason, the customer will need to self-report their earnings and provide evidence of these."</p><p><strong>LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:</strong></p><ul><li><a data-linked-post="2671848650" href="https://www.gbnews.com/money/state-pension-triple-lock-abandon" target="_blank">State pension triple lock at risk as Labour urged to 'abandon' payment rise</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/money/state-pension-scandal-dwp-underpaid" target="_self">State pension 'scandal' as thousands underpaid £800m - are you eligible for DWP payment boost?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/money/dwp-universal-credit-eligible-payment" target="_self">Universal Credit claimants could eligible for £420 payment boost after DWP changes next week</a></li></ul><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Liz Kendall" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5622081bd36a83018fe5ea9f3c7ed2b9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="3d74a" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/liz-kendall.jpg?id=53647615&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><p>Failure to maintain up-to-date financial records could result in payment suspensions or repayment demands.</p><p>The minister also highlighted the Government's commitment to reviewing Universal Credit's effectiveness.</p><p>"We are committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to, to make work pay and tackle poverty," said Sir Stephen Timms.</p><p>He noted that special considerations are already in place for certain groups: "We recognise that some self-employed customers, including those in the farming industry, are likely to report large monthly fluctuations in their earnings."</p><p>"Steps have been taken to account for this, such as allowing self-employed losses to be carried forward into future assessment periods."</p>
