Housing and Council Tax Benefits

Changes in your circumstances

You are required to tell us about anything you think might affect your housing benefit or council tax benefit. You must do this within 1 month of the change taking place. If you fail to do this, we will recover any overpayment from you and you may lose some benefit.

Here are some of the things you must tell us about

If you or anyone in your home, stop getting benefit such as Income Support or Job seekers Allowance
You or anyone in your home starts full-time, part-time or temporary work or change jobs
If you or your partner give birth
Changes to your rent
Changes in your address, even temporary changes
People moving in or out of your home, such as a partner, children, relatives or other adults
Income going up or down. This includes your income, your partner's income or the income of anyone else living with you
If your savings or your families savings goes up or down
If you are going away temporarily. We need to know how long you expect to be away for and why you have gone away. This includes going on holiday, into hospital, staying with a friend or relative to care for them

This is not a full list. If you are not sure, ask us for advice. You must tell us about any changes in writing - a telephone call is not enough.

If there is a change of circumstances you will be required to provide original proofs of evidence before your benefit will be increased or paid for your new address.