Changes to your circumstances
What to do if my circumstances change?
It's important you tell us immediately if
your circumstances change as you may get too little or
too much benefit.
It's an offence not to tell us about any change of circumstance
that affects your benefit. We may take court action against
you and if we pay you too much benefit, you'll probably have to pay
it back.
Ways to tell us about changes in your circumstances
Select the relevant form to download, print and
complete.
If you've not got a printer and need a copy of the form you
can:
- Ring us on 0845 121 2970 to report your change of
circumstances.
- Write to us. It's important that you provide details of the
change, the date of the change and proof where appropriate.
Find out how to fast-track your
change of circumstances.
What changes do I need to report?
Here are some examples of the types of changes that you need to
report - there are many more. It's important you check
with us if you're unsure if a change will affect your
entitlement to Housing Benefit.
- If you start work
- If you change your address
- If your rent changes (private tenants only)
- Changes in income or capital/assets - you or your partner
- Changes in status (eg: marriage, separation, bereavement)
- The end of entitlement to Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance
(income or contributions based), Employment Support Allowance
- you or your partner
- Absences exceeding, or likely to exceed, 13 weeks - you or your
partner
- Changes affecting people who live with you including.
- If someone comes to live with you or if someone leaves your
household
- If the income or circumstances of someone living with you
changes for example, if they start/end work, start/end
college/university or start/end Income Support etc
- If you stop getting Child Benefit for someone.
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