Change of circumstances
Change of circumstances
It is essential that you tell us immediately about any changes or new situations affecting your housing or council tax benefit claim.
If you do not inform us you may receive too much benefit and you will have to pay it back. It is also an offence not to tell us about a change and could lead to a criminal prosecution.
You are responsible for providing us with the correct information for anyone within your household.
The quickest and easiest way to tell us about a change is to complete an online benefits change of circumstances form.
Your benefit claim will not always be amended from the date of the change. It will depend on when we are advised and whether the change is advantageous to you, e.g. whether you will receive more benefit following the change.
The list below gives examples of the type of changes you must tell about:
- Anyone moves in or out of your home (including children)
- Any of your children leave school
- You have a child
- You or anyone living with you becomes a student or takes part in a Youth training scheme
- Your income or the income of anyone living with you changes (this includes student loans, bursaries and occupational pensions)
- You or anyone living with you starts work or changes jobs
- The welfare benefits received by you or anyone living with you change
- Your capital, savings or investments change
- You or anyone living with you goes into hospital, a nursing home, prison or if anyone goes on remand
- Your rent changes
- You move
- You or anyone living with you are going away for a significant period of time
- You receive a decision from the Home Office regarding your immigration status
- You receive any additional monies or payment
Fraud
Do you have a question about benefit fraud? Contact the Fraud Hotline or view more information about fraud:
