Latest news with #UniversalCredit
South Wales Argus
14 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
DWP Universal Credit £50 fine warning for benefit claimants
Since October 2012, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has had the power to impose fines on benefit claimants who receive overpayments as a result of not informing authorities of a change in circumstances. The 'civil penalty' is £50 and will be added to the amount of the overpayment and will be recovered by the same method. In order to avoid an overpayment, you should let the DWP know of any change in circumstances that may affect your benefits, including changing your name, moving house, or having a new addition to the family. What is Universal Credit? If the Government believes you deliberately did not tell them of a change in circumstances in order to receive an overpayment, you could be prosecuted for benefit fraud. Why could you be fined £50 by the DWP? Turn2Us, a national charity providing help for people who struggle financially, explained what could cause a £50 civil penalty. They explained that for a civil penalty to apply, the overpayment must: have happened after 1 October 2012, and be an amount of £65.01 or more, and be recoverable. How to Save Money on Your Energy Bill The overpayment of benefit also must have been caused by a person: making an incorrect statement, or negligently giving incorrect information, and that person not taking 'reasonable steps' to correct the error. A civil penalty will not be applied if the DWP decides to take action under benefit fraud provisions. Recommended reading: The charity also explained how you can challenge the £50 fine. They said: 'If you agree that you have been overpaid but you don't think you should have been given a civil penalty you can challenge the decision to give you a civil penalty. 'You will first have to request Mandatory Reconsideration of the decision. You have one month to request Mandatory Reconsideration. You should explain why you think you should not have been given a civil penalty. 'If the DWP do not change their decision, you can appeal to an Independent Tribunal. You only have one month from the date of the DWP's decision on your request for Mandatory Reconsideration to request an appeal.'
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Universal Credit payment boost worth £420 for over one million people
Universal Credit payment boost worth £420 for over one million people The DWP changed how much money can be deducted from your Universal Credit payments and it means one million households in the UK will be better off in 2022 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that over one million households grappling with debt will retain an average of £420 more of their benefits each year (Image: John Myers ) The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that over one million households grappling with debt will retain an average of £420 more of their benefits each year, following a change to Universal Credit implemented at the end of last month. The Fair Repayment Rate sets a cap on how much individuals in debt can have deducted from their benefits to repay what they owe. The maximum amount that could be taken from someone's Universal Credit standard allowance payment to repay debt was 25 per cent, but this was reduced to 15 per cent on April 30. This alteration applies to all assessment periods commencing on or after that date and means claimants due their monthly payments from May 30 will benefit from the reduction. It equates to an average of £420 extra a year for 1.2 million of the poorest households, including 700,000 households with children, whilst aiding people to pay down their debts in a sustainable manner. This is part of the UK Government's Plan for Change to put more money into people's pockets and enhance living standards and signifies the Government's initial step in a broader review of Universal Credit to ensure it continues to fulfil its purpose. Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced the Fair Repayment Rate at the Autumn Budget, as part of wider efforts to elevate living standards, combat poverty, and tackle the cost of living crisis, reports the Daily Record. The Chancellor remarked: "As announced at the Budget, 1.2 million households will keep more of their Universal Credit and will be on average £420 better off a year. This is our plan for change delivering, easing the cost of living and putting more money into the pockets of working people." This comes amid revelations that nearly 2.8 million households experience reductions in their Universal Credit each month to address debts, with the updated rate aiming to balance debt repayment while ensuring individuals can still manage their essential expenses. In an assertion of the government's commitment to worker prosperity, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated: "As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking decisive action to ensure working people keep more of the benefits they're entitled to - which will boost financial security and improve living standards up and down the country." She further emphasised the government's dedication to improving prospects, saying, "We're delivering meaningful change to ensure everyone has a fair chance, the support they need, and real hope for the future." Article continues below The introduction of the Fair Repayment Rate joins a suite of ambitious efforts under the UK Government's Plan for Change, aiming to spark growth and broaden wealth across the nation. Spotlighting employment as a critical escape from poverty, the Labour Government unveiled the Get Britain Working White Paper, setting sights on an 80 per cent employment rate goal through major reforms to Jobcentres, the creation of a new employment and advice service, plus a youth guarantee ensuring young people are either gaining work experience or pursuing education. This is in addition to raising the National Minimum and National Living Wage to ensure that work is financially rewarding.
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
DWP universal credit and benefits to rise in June for some after delays
DWP universal credit and benefits to rise in June for some after delays A list of benefits were increased in April but many have yet to see the new higher rates People claiming certain benefits are set to see a rise in how much they get after delays. In April 2025 those receiving working age or disability benefits saw a 1.7% uplift. However, despite the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) implementing the new rates on April 7 most claimants didn't see the increased payments until the following month. This is due to most payments being made four weeks in arrears. However, some State Pension recipients - that payment rose 4.1% in April - who receive payments weekly or fortnightly saw the uplift sooner. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Universal Credit operates slightly differently, with assessment periods running from month-to-month on a specific date, meaning that for some the higher amount did not arrive until the next payment cycle in May while others have still yet to see the rise and will see it in June. It means that the date you'll receive the pay boost will depend on when your last assessment period was. Here's how your previous assessment period affects when you'll get the payment boost: March 17 to April 16 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 21 March 18 to April 17 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 22 March 19 to April 18 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 23 March 20 to April 19 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 24 March 21 to April 20 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 25 March 22 to April 21 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 26 March 23 to April 22 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 27 March 24 to April 23 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 28 March 25 to April 24 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 29 March 26 to April 25 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 30 March 27 to April 26 - increase applied in May, you'll get it in your payment on May 31 March 28 to April 27 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 1 March 29 to April 28 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 2 March 30 to April 29 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 5 March 31 to April 30 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 6 April 1 to April 31 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 7 April 2 to May 1 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 8 April 3 to May 2 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 9 April 4 to May 3 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 10 April 5 to May 4 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 11 April 6 to May 5 - increase applied in June, you'll get it in your payment on June 12 Here's a full list of the new benefit rates for 2025-26 so you can check how much extra you might get. Universal Credit Universal Credit standard allowance (monthly) Single, under 25: £316.98 (up from £311.68) Single, 25 or over: £400.14 (up from £393.45) Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 (up from £489.23) Joint claimants, one or both 25+: £628.10 (up from £617.60) Extra amounts for children First child (born before April 6, 2017): £339 (up from £333.33) Child born after April 6, 2017 or subsequent children: £292.81 (up from £287.92) Disabled child (lower rate): £158.76 (up from £156.11) Disabled child (higher rate): £495.87 (up from £487.58) Extra for limited capability for work Limited capability: £158.76 (up from £156.11) Work-related activity: £423.27 (up from £416.19) Carer's element Caring for a severely disabled person at least 35 hours a week: £201.68 (up from £198.31) Article continues below Work allowance increases
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Government is paying over £1billion a month to households with at least one foreign national in them
The government is now paying over £1 billion a month on benefits claims to households with at least one foreign national, new figures show. Households with at least one claimant who is a foreigner received £941 million in March his year, up from £461 million year-on-year, The Telegraph reports. This increase represents almost a sixth of the month's Universal Credit payments and cancels out the £1.4 billion the Government saved by cutting winter fuel payments. Experts have suggested that the increase reflects a surge in the number of asylum seekers being granted refugee status in Britain. Foreigners are eligible for UC and other benefits on the same terms as British citizens after being granted indefinite leave to remain or refugee status. The latest figures come as Angela Rayner last week called for migrant benefits to be slashed and urged Rachel Reeves to make changes, after the Deputy PM challenged the Chancellor's economic approach. Bold proposals, outlined in a leaked memo revealed by The Telegraph, also suggested making it harder for immigrants to receive Universal credit. Ms Rayner even said Labour should raise the fee migrants pay to use the NHS, in policies she and her team claimed were 'contentious' but still 'worthy of consideration'. Under current policies, introduced under the Tories in 2015, foreigners on work visas pay to access healthcare - a fee currently set at £1,035. The 'radical' policies further included limiting access to the state pension. The latest revelations come after Ms Reeves was hit with a triple blow to her authority. The Deputy PM suggested launching the plans in the Spring Statement - and hoping to get them over the line by the Autumn Budget. 'Migrants who have spent five to 10 years in the UK generally receive access to a broad range of welfare entitlements,' a section read, as reported by the broadsheet. 'Indefinite leave to remain in the UK confers access to core welfare entitlements such as Universal Credit, and 10 years of National Insurance contributions confers eligibility for some state pension provision. 'Those who arrived in the UK during the period of very high immigration in the past few years will become eligible for indefinite leave to remain over the course of this Parliament.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Foreigners claim £1bn a month in benefits
Benefits claims by households with at least one foreign national have doubled to nearly £1 billion a month in the past three years, government figures show. Households with at least one claimant who is a foreign national received £941 million in March this year, up from £461 million in March 2022, representing nearly a sixth of the month's Universal Credit payments. The figures are likely to reinforce calls for restrictions on benefits for migrants, which Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, urged Rachel Reeves to consider in a leaked memo seen by The Telegraph. Ms Reeves, the Chancellor, is already facing a growing backbench rebellion over her plans to cut welfare spending. Funding two months of benefits for households with foreign nationals cancels out the £1.4 billion the Government saved by axing winter fuel payments. Experts suggested the increase reflected a surge in the number of asylum seekers being granted refugee status and in net migration. Foreign nationals become eligible for Universal Credit and other benefits on the same terms as British citizens once they are granted either indefinite leave to remain or refugee status. Writing in The Telegraph, Neil O'Brien, a former Tory health minister who uncovered the data, said: 'The growth of benefit spending and the rate of migration are both much too fast, and the Government is doing far too little to change either trend. 'Migrants know that if they can make it to the UK, they will be allowed to stay. As long as that is true, we'll see more and more coming. Our soft-touch welfare state makes this worse.' Graham Stringer, a senior Labour backbencher and former leader of Manchester City Council, said that such vast spending on foreign claimants should not be a priority. He said: 'Given the state of the country's finances, everything has to be looked at and reassessed. This expenditure [on foreign claimants] in my opinion is not a priority. 'We have to be absolutely clear on what our priorities are and in my view these people are not a priority. It has to be judged against potential cuts in PIPs [Personal Independence Payments] and the winter fuel allowance and other benefits that may be cut for British citizens.' The Telegraph revealed earlier this month that Ms Rayner told Ms Reeves to consider making it harder for immigrants to gain access to Universal Credit, by raising the fee they must pay for using the NHS and restricting their access to the state pension. Ms Rayner's memo warned that, because of the high rates of immigration in the early 2020s, there would be an increase in the number of people becoming eligible for indefinite leave to remain, entitling them to state benefits. The data, obtained for the first time under freedom of information laws from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), shows that the amount of Universal Credit being claimed by foreign nationals has risen by nearly 30 per cent in a year, from £726 million to £941 million in March. This accounted for 15.5 per cent of the total £6.05 billion payments of Universal Credit that month, up from 14.1 per cent in March 2022 but down slightly since when Labour won the general election in July last year. The rising costs follow soaring net migration, which after Brexit reached a record high of more than 900,000 in 2023. The DWP defines a foreign claimant as a non-Common Travel Area (CTA) national – someone who does not hold British or Irish nationality. Its analysis only included payments to households that are made to 'claimants who have a non-CTA nationality and have passed the Habitual Resident Test (HRT).' HRT checks that an individual has a right to reside in the UK and is 'factually habitually resident' in the UK. The DWP said joint claims that include at least one non-British or Irish national will be classed as foreign, even if other members of the household are British nationals. Sir Keir Starmer announced a crackdown on net migration earlier this month that included proposals to extend eligibility for indefinite leave to remain from the current five years to 10 years, effectively denying tens of thousands access to benefits for longer. Under his plans, migrants will only be able to 'earn' citizenship earlier if they can show a 'real and lasting contribution' to the economy and society. It comes as Reform seeks to capture its first seat in Scotland in a by-election in Hamilton by capitalising on its plans for net zero immigration and restoring the winter fuel allowance. A government spokesman said: 'We inherited a spiralling benefits system that was out of control. Since last July, we have reduced the proportion of benefit payments to nationals outside the British Isles. 'Refugees and non-UK or Irish citizens can only access these payments once their immigration status is formally verified by the Home Office, and they satisfy strict tests.' By Neil O'Brien The soaring bill for Universal Credit payments to people from overseas is the tip of the iceberg. Universal Credit only accounts for about half of working age welfare spending, and the DWP is so far refusing to release the same data for other benefits. And cash benefits are only part of the story. For example, around half of all the council housing in Greater London is occupied by households where the head of the household was born abroad. Of these tenants, around a half are in work, and a half are not. Many of those who commute a long way into the capital, paying a fortune to stand on a crowded tube or train, wonder whether it is fair. For those who have paid in their taxes, it is frustrating to see others who have newly arrived in the country able to access benefits and services without having paid in. The growth of benefit spending and the rate of migration are both much too fast, and the Government is doing far too little to change either trend. Keir Starmer promised to 'smash the gangs', but the number of people crossing the channel is up nearly a third compared to the same period last year. We recently saw a record smashed for the largest number crossing illegally in one day. Having promised to close migrant hotels, the Government has opened more. Starmer was warned by experts like the former head of Border Force, Tony Smith, that simply trying to improve enforcement would fail, unless factors that pull migrants here are addressed. Migrants know that if they can make it to the UK, they will be allowed to stay. As long as that is true, we'll see more and more coming. Our soft-touch welfare state makes this worse. Every week there is some new example of the abuse of human rights law to allow dangerous people to stay in the UK. A Ugandan murderer who clubbed a man to death in the back of a London ambulance wasn't deported because it would be bad for his mental health. A Pakistani paedophile won the right to stay because he risks being persecuted for his crimes back home. There are 17,428 foreign national offenders living in the UK whose deportation the Home Office considers to be in the public interest, but who have not been deported, and the figure just keeps rising. Meanwhile, spending on sickness and disability benefits is forecast to grow to £100 billion by the end of this parliament, double the rate of 2008. Despite this, the present Government has abandoned plans to tighten the Work Capability Assessment, which means 400,000 more people will be signed off as unfit to work. The Government has also trailed plans to spend a further £3.5 billion a year removing the two-child cap on benefits. Both the explosion of welfare spending and the surging numbers arriving in small boats are driven by the same rights culture. Sadly, we have a PM who is a human rights lawyer, who used to sign letters opposing the deportation of criminals. As long as he's in office, the bills for those who play by the rules will just keep on rising. Neil O'Brien is the Conservative MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston and is a shadow education minister Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
