Non dependent adult declaration

rbz
rbz Community Member Posts: 176 Empowering
in Universal Credit (UC)

My son finished college (non-advanced education). I reported this change of circumstances via my UC account.

I then received a journal request asking me to remove my son from my claim and add him as a non-dependent adult. I have already removed him from my claim using the online change of circumstances option.

However, their request to add him as a non-dependent adult seems very strange to me because I do not receive any Housing Element. This means that whether a non-dependent lives in my house or not, it does not affect my Universal Credit award at all.

Additionally, after the summer holidays my son will be starting university (advanced education). This means he will not qualify for the Child Element anyway, regardless of his current status.

Can you advise:

  1. Am I legally required to add him as a non-dependent given it has no impact on my claim?
  2. What is the risk if I do not?
  3. Is the DWP allowed to insist on this level of detail when it does not affect my entitlement?

Thank you.

Comments

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 3,178 Connected

    Ring them first thing on Monday.

  • rbz
    rbz Community Member Posts: 176 Empowering

    @SheffieldMan1976

    The problem is that very often different decisions are made after a child finishes education. Sometimes they stop the child element immediately once education ends; sometimes they continue paying until 31 August (or the 19th birthday), even if the child is not enrolled in education. I am looking for information from people whose children have finished education and do not plan to continue further education from September.

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