By Fiona Callingham,Linda Howard

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Millions of Brits have been warned they could find their benefits cut off if they fail to contact the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) in certain circumstances. Your benefits could be reduced or stopped, and you could even be issued a fine if you do not report a change or mistake. The DWP currently delivers benefits to millions of people throughout the UK. These financial assistance schemes are designed to support those who are unemployed or earning low wages, or who are unable to work due to chronic health issues or disabilities. Numerous benefit recipients may be unaware that they must notify the DWP when specific changes in circumstances occur, and failure to do so could result in reduced payments or complete cessation. In certain situations, you must contact the relevant DWP department straight away, as reported by the Daily Record . Official DWP guidance explains: “If you do not report a change or a mistake, you might be paid too much. If you are, you might have to pay some of the money back. You might also have to pay a £50 penalty. If you deliberately do not report changes, you’re committing benefit fraud.” Generally, you should reach out to the relevant department. If you are in receipt of multiple benefits, you’ll need to contact each respective department individually to report changes. Full details with direct links to each department can be found on GOV.UK here . The DWP is increasing its efforts against benefit fraud, with the new Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill confirmed to come into effect from 2026. These measures, according to the DWP, will save £1.5 billion of taxpayers’ money over the subsequent five years.