Change of Circumstances
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.
This webpage was updated on
11/26/2007