If your circumstances change, you should tell us about the changes as soon as possible. This includes changes relating to the people who live in your home with you.

Every benefit decision letter sent to you contains a single sheet of coloured paper; on one side, there is information relating to how you can ask for a benefit decision to be looked at again, on the other is a form for telling us about changes in your circumstances.

You can use the Change of Circumstances form below, ring us, or write in, to tell us about the changes; it doesn’t matter which, so long as you notify the council as soon as the change happens.

Change of Circumstances Form 88Kb PDF

What happens if I don't tell you?

If you do not tell us about a change of circumstances within one calendar month of the change, and the change results in an increase in your housing and/or council tax benefit, then you could lose out on money; the council will only apply changes which increase your benefit entitlement from the time you tell us about them.

If you do not tell us about a change of circumstances within one calendar month of the change. and the change results in a decrease in your housing and/or council tax benefit, you may have to repay overpaid benefit; the council will apply changes which decrease your benefit entitlement form the date they actually happened.   

What sort of things do I need to tell you about?

The following list gives examples of changes you need to tell us about -

•  A change to where you live.
•  A change to who lives with you, anyone moving in or out of your home on a temporary or permanent basis.
•  If you stop or start work.
•  A change in your wages, private pension or any other income you receive.
•  A change to the amount of rent you pay.
•  If you start or stop receiving Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance.
•  If you start or stop receiving any other benefit.
•  If your capital, such as savings and investments, alters.

This is not an exhaustive list, these are only examples of changes you need to tell us about.  If you are in any doubt whether we need to know or not, call 01233 331111 and give us the details; we can then decide whether your benefit will be affected and tell you what to do next.

If one of the people living in my household has a change in their circumstances, do I need to tell you?

Yes, because if your partner, one of your dependants and/or one of your non-dependants has a change in their circumstances it may affect your entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

If you are not sure whether a change will affect your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit – tell us anyway.