Change in Circumstances

If you are receiving Benefit or have recently put in a claim, and your circumstances have changed then you must let us know. Either fill out a “Change of Circumstances form” and return it to us or let us know in writing, as soon as possible, to make sure that you don’t lose out on any payments.


Change of Circumstances Form that can be printed and returned to us.
Examples of changes in circumstances, which you must tell us about, include:

• You or your partner stop or start getting Income Support or any other type of state benefit
  
• Your income or the income of anyone living with you goes up or down
  
• You or your partner start work or change jobs
  
• You or your partners savings go up or down
  
• The number of people living with you changes
  
• Anyone living with you, who is not in full-time education, reaches the age of 18
  
• The amount of rent you have to pay changes
  
• You move address (this includes moving to a flat or room at the same address)
  
• You or your partner gives birth
  
• Any of your children leave school
  
• You or your partner going away temporarily.

You must tell us how long you expect to be away. This could include things like going into hospital or moving in with a friend/relative to care for them.

You must give us full details of the change in your circumstances and the date of the change.

If the change of circumstances increases your benefit entitlement, and you notify us more than 4 weeks after it occured, your claim will be reassessed from the Monday following the date you notify us of that change.

If you tell us within a calender month of the change occuring or if the change of circumstances reduces your benefit entitlement, your claim will be reassessed from the date the change actually occurred.
(exemptions apply for Tax Credits )

If you delay telling us of any changes it may mean that you lose out on some entitlement or it could mean that you have been overpaid and you will have to repay this.

When a claim is reassessed due to a change in circumstances, a letter will be sent to you explaining the reasons why your claim has been reassessed and detail any under or overpayment that there has been in your benefit entitlement.

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