DWP Universal Credit sickness warning as payments could be stopped

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed plans to introduce a new 'digital channel' designed to streamline the process for those receiving disability benefits, other low-income benefits, and the State Pension to report changes in their circumstances. However, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms, has indicated that this development is "not expected to be complete for at least another 12 months" and will not include Universal Credit claimants, who currently use an online journal to communicate with work coaches and the DWP.

The update emerged following a query by Conservative MP Neil O'Brien about whether claimants on disability benefits or those with low or no income can report hospital stays via phone or a system akin to 'Tell Us Once'. In his written reply on Monday, Sir Stephen stated: "For Disability Benefits, the usual route for the customer to notify us of a hospital admission is either via phone or in writing."

He added: "Universal Credit customers can report a hospital stay via a phone call, they can also report it digitally via a journal message on their Universal Credit account or via a third party or supporter if consent has been given."

"The Department is working on a digital channel for customers which will allow them to tell us about changes in one place. We do have plans to enable this going forward, but the work is not expected to be complete for at least another 12 months. Disability Benefits, other low-income benefits and later life services are in-scope for this work, but, at present, Universal Credit is not."

There are several reasons why DWP may reduce, pause or even stop someone's benefit claim - including going overseas on holiday for more than four weeks