The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced an important rule change in 2025 that could directly affect how millions of people receive their benefits. If you rely on payments such as State Pension, Universal Credit, or disability benefits, this update could determine whether your money continues to arrive without interruptions. One of the key requirements under this change is to make sure your bank details are up to date. Failing to do so might result in delayed or even stopped payments.
This update is particularly relevant for those who have recently switched bank accounts, changed their personal details, or moved to a new address. With rising living costs, any delay in receiving benefits can create unnecessary financial stress, so understanding and acting on this DWP rule change is essential.
What Is The New DWP Rule Change?
From April 2025, the DWP will require all benefit recipients to ensure that their payment details are current and correctly registered. This is part of the government’s effort to improve payment security, reduce fraud, and prevent incorrect transfers. It means that if your bank account number, sort code, or account type has changed, you must inform the DWP as soon as possible.
This change comes after several incidents where payments were sent to closed accounts or accounts that were no longer active. In many cases, the money was returned, but the process caused long delays. To avoid such problems, the DWP will be conducting account verification checks more frequently throughout the year.
Why Bank Detail Updates Are Important
Your bank details are the link between the DWP and your money. Even a small error in your account information can result in missed payments. For people who depend on weekly or monthly benefit payments, a single missed transfer can cause issues with paying bills, buying food, or covering essential expenses.
Updating your details ensures that your payments go directly into the right account on time. It also helps protect you from fraud, as the DWP can confirm that the account belongs to you before sending the funds.
Who Needs To Update Their Bank Details?
The DWP has advised that anyone who has changed banks or account numbers in the last year should update their details immediately. This includes people receiving:
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Child Benefit (in cases handled by HMRC, but linked with bank detail checks)
Even if you haven’t changed your bank recently, it’s a good idea to check that the DWP has the correct account details, especially if you have multiple accounts or have closed one in the past.
How To Update Your Bank Details With DWP
Updating your bank details with the DWP is a straightforward process, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid delays. You can update your information in the following ways:
- Online: Log in to your Universal Credit account or the relevant benefit portal and enter your new details.
- By Phone: Call the DWP helpline for your specific benefit. For example, the State Pension helpline has a separate number from Universal Credit.
- By Post: Send a written notification with your updated bank information to the appropriate DWP office.
Make sure you have your National Insurance number, full name, date of birth, and new bank account details ready when you update. If you are sending the information by post, avoid including original bank documents for safety reasons.
What Happens If You Don’t Update?
If you fail to update your bank details by the time the rule change is enforced in 2025, the DWP may temporarily stop sending your payments until your information is corrected. In some cases, payments could be sent to an old or closed account and be returned, which would cause delays of several weeks.
For those relying on benefits to cover daily expenses, this can create serious hardship. The DWP has made it clear that it is the recipient’s responsibility to keep their details up to date. Even if you think your bank hasn’t changed, it’s worth checking with your provider to ensure your account is still active and able to receive payments.
Extra Security Measures In 2025
Alongside the requirement to update bank details, the DWP will introduce extra security checks. These may include sending you a verification code via post or text, or asking you to confirm small “test payments” sent to your account before the main payment is processed. These measures aim to ensure that benefits only go to the correct person.
The DWP has also stated that they will never ask for your full bank PIN or online banking password. If you receive suspicious calls, emails, or texts asking for this information, you should report it to Action Fraud immediately.
Advice For People Switching Banks
If you plan to switch banks in 2025, it’s essential to inform the DWP before you close your old account. While the Current Account Switch Service in the UK usually transfers payments automatically, it’s not guaranteed for government benefit payments. Always double-check with the DWP to avoid disruptions.
You should also make sure there is no gap between closing your old account and opening the new one. Some people have experienced missed payments simply because there was a few days when their account was inactive.
Deadlines And Action To Take
The DWP has not given a single universal deadline for everyone, but letters and notifications will be sent out to benefit recipients explaining when they must update their information. For most people, the cut-off will be within three months of receiving the notice. This means that if you get a letter in April, you should update your details by July to ensure there are no payment issues.
It’s better to update your details now rather than wait for a reminder. This way, you can be sure that your payments will continue without interruption when the new rules take effect.
Final Thoughts
The DWP rule change for 2025 is designed to protect benefit recipients and ensure payments are sent to the right account. While the requirement to update your bank details might seem small, it can make a huge difference in avoiding missed or delayed payments. With the cost of living remaining high, staying proactive about your benefit information is essential.
If you have recently changed banks, or if you are not sure whether the DWP has your latest details, now is the time to check and update. Doing so could save you weeks of stress and help you keep your finances on track throughout 2025.