Petition · Department for Work and Pensions
Change the ‘whole month’ approach to change of circumstances in Universal Credit
Closed
54 signatures
What the petition asks
If a change in circumstance occurs at any point in the Universal Credit assessment period it counts for the whole month - which we think is unfair.
It can mean people receive less than they had expected and budgeted for. We think any changes in entitlement should be pro-rata.
For example if a child stops being a child 3 days before assessment period ends, the claimant is told they owe money for the whole month due to this change - not just the 3 days the child had stopped being a child.
We feel the Government may push people in debt with this policy.
We think it would be better if the Government calculated entitlement to the day.
For example if a child stops being a child 3 days before assessment period ends, the claimant is told they owe money for the whole month due to this change - not just the 3 days the child had stopped being a child.
We feel the Government may push people in debt with this policy.
We think it would be better if the Government calculated entitlement to the day.
Timeline
| 25 Feb 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 25 Aug 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
54
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
25 Feb 2025
Closed
25 Aug 2025
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 18 Aug 2026.