Warning DWP checking Universal Credit claims for 'undeclared partners'

The DWP has warned it is checking Universal Credit claims to weed out people living together without telling the benefits agency, in a bid to tackle fraud.

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued its Annual Report & Accounts 2024 with an overview of all of its expenditure on benefits and the different types of fraud it is trying to crack down on.

One such example of fraud the DWP is examining relates to couples living together.

The DWP said: “The key loss areas in Universal Credit are overpayments caused by undeclared earnings (particularly self-employed earnings), undeclared capital, undeclared partner (‘living together’), household composition and incorrect housing costs.

“There were decreases in most of the key loss areas in 2023-24”

The DWP has a definition of a couple living together, which states: “

The DWP said: “The Department for Work and Pensions counts 2 people as being in a couple if they live in the same household and are:

• married to each other

• civil partners of each other

• living together as if they were married

“If you’re part of a couple you and your partner will need to make a joint claim for Universal Credit.”

This makes a difference because some benefits are based on household income rather than an individual, and other benefits will not be paid at all if your partner is working or already claiming a different benefit such as Tax Credit.

In this way, couples who live together without declaring their partner may try to claim benefits they are not actually eligible for, which is fraud.

The DWP outlined how it is cracking down on the problem, adding: “The DWP is reviewing high-risk claims where there could be an incorrect Living Together declaration.

“The DWP Continues to test and improve on-screen advice for Living Together to help claimants provide their relationship status and prevent incorrect payments.

“In Universal Credit, couples make a joint claim to Universal Credit and both are responsible for meeting the entitlement conditions, reporting any changes in their circumstances and ensuring that all information relating to their claim is current and correct.

“If you or your partner are getting any of the benefits being replaced by Universal Credit, these other benefits will stop when you make your Universal Credit claim as a couple.

"If either of you are claiming tax credits you should contact the Tax Credit Helpline or write to the Tax Credit Office to tell them you have claimed Universal Credit as a couple.

"This is because you cannot claim Universal Credit and tax credits at the same time.

"If you have a change in your circumstances you must report it through your online Universal Credit account.”