The six benefit errors that can lead to owing £1,000s – including ticking the wrong box

MILLIONS of households claim Universal Credit and a host of other benefit payments every single year.

Over 20million more Brits are estimated to missing out on benefits they’re eligible for, according to Policy in Practice.

Halide Kalfaoglu

But in recent weeks, thousands of claimants for carer’s allowance have been forced to pay back as much as £20,000 after unknowingly breaching the rules.

George Henderson, 64, from Leyland in Lancashire, ended up with a £20,000 bill and had to sell his home to pay it back because of this simple error.

It all resulted from him wrongly ticking a box on his claim which declared he was unemployed when.

In fact, he was earning £7.50 an hour as a self-employed taxi driver.

New figures revealed that in 2022-23, 26,700 carers were asked to repay sums relating to earnings breaches.

Whether you’re applying for benefits for the first time or already claiming welfare cash, you should always be aware of the rules.

There are six common errors you could be making with your claims.

Two of which could result in overpayments, requests for you to repay your benefits and fraud investigations too.

We spoke to Halide Kalfaoglu, Turn2us’ benefits expert, to find out exactly how to avoid getting caught out and ensure you’re getting what you’re entitled to.

ERRORS WHEN APPLYING FOR BENEFITS

Forgetting or failing to provide all required information or documentation, is the biggest error you can make when applying for benefits.

Halide said: “For example, for Universal Credit housing costs, you will need to provide your tenancy agreement.

“Fail to do this, and you won’t get a payment for housing costs until you submit this documentation.”

Halide warns that you should never provide inaccurate information when applying for benefits either.

She said this could include providing inaccurate earnings or savings you have, or even the number of people you live with.

If you do this and get accepted for benefits, you could end up getting overpaid and may be forced to pay some of the benefits back.

You could also face fines or fraud investigations too.

Halide also warned about missing application deadlines too.

She said: “For example, you should send your PIP application form within one month of the date on the letter.”

ERRORS WHEN GETTING BENEFITS

Forgetting or failing to update your information or report any change of circumstances can lead to a whole number of consequences.

Halide says this can include a change of address, employment, income, giving birth, separation or divorce, change in the household, stay in hospital or care, or being abroad for too long.

If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you can report a change of circumstances by visiting your online journal.

But if you’re claiming another discrete benefit like attendance or carer’s allowance, you’ll need to get in touch with the specific benefit department directly.

Failure to report a change of circumstances if you claim Universal Credit and you could be sanctioned.

This is where your benefits are reduced or stopped for a period of time.

Failure to declare that you’ve breached the threshold to qualify for other benefits could also result in overpayments.

If the DWP later discovered this, you’ll be ordered to repay the benefit and could face extra fines or prosecution.

Halide also warned that claimants should never ignore letters that they receive or miss deadlines such as renewal dates.

She said: “If you do this, you’ll delay getting your payments updated or face having your benefits claim stopped for good.