The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can deduct Universal Credit payments to pay for certain bills (Image: Oscar Wong via Getty Images)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has verified that it can reduce your Universal Credit payments to cover five bills if you're in arrears or have received an overpayment. These deductions can be made for reasons such as child maintenance payments and court fines.

Universal Credit , a means-tested benefit, was initially introduced in the UK in 2013 to replace older benefits . By 2018, all new claimants were required to apply for Universal Credit, while those on existing legacy benefits continued to receive their awards.

The Department for Work and Pensions ' plan for transitioning remaining households to Universal Credit was out

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