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Changes in your circumstances must be reported to us straight away, or House numberat least within one month of the date of change, otherwise you may lose benefit. A change that reduces your amount of benefit may lead to an overpayment, which we will ask you to pay back.

What change of circumstances do I need to tell you about?

You must tell us immediately if:

  • your Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment Support Allowance entitlement ends;
  • you start work;
  • you move home (as you will need to re-claim benefit at your new address);
  • you or anyone in your household leaves or comes to live with you;
  • you or anyone in your household has a change in their income;
  • your rent changes;
  • any of your children leave school;
  • your savings or investments change by more than £250 (£500 if you are of state pension age), unless the total stays below £6,000(£10,000 if you are of state pension age);
  • you become a student;
  • anyone living with you becomes a student, goes on a Youth Training, Employment Training or Employment Action course or gets, changes or leaves a job;
  • you are going away-you must tell us how long you will be away for before you go;
  • you, your partner or other people who live with you are in hospital for more than six weeks;
  • you leave your home on a temporary basis; or
  • there are any other changes that may affect your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit

You still have to tell us about any changes, even if you have already told someone else, such as The Department for Work and Pensions or another Council department.

Tell us about a change in circumstance

  • If it is a change of address then please complete the form which applies to you below. 
  • If it is for any other reason (as highlighted above) then you need to write to us.
  • If you are not sure what changes need to be reported, please ask us.

Private / Housing Assoc tenants change of address form

Change of Address form for Private and Housing Association Tenants (PDF 62kb)

This form should be completed if you are moving within the borough, a private tenant or Housing Association Tenant and you are already in receipt of Housing Benefit.

Council tenant / Council tax benefit applicant change of address form

Change of Address form for Council Tenants or Council Tax Benefit only applicants (PDF 48kb)

This form should be completed  if you are moving within the borough, you are a Council Tenant or claiming Council Tax Benefit only and you are already in receipt of Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit.  

What happens if I don't tell the Council about a change in circumstances?

If you do not inform us of any change in your circumstances and we find out later then you may be subject to a benefit fraud investigation.  If you tell us late this may result in you being overpaid and us claiming the money back from you.  You may also be at risk of losing your benefits altogether if you don't tell us in time.

Dealing with a claim on behalf of someone

You can help someone with their claim for benefit in one of two ways, depending on how much you need to be involved: 

Form 1 - getting information on someone else's behalf

This form gives us permission to talk or write to you on behalf of the person claiming. We will be able to give you the same information that we would give the person claiming if they contacted us. However, the person claiming is still responsible for their claim and for telling us about any changes in circumstances. For example this form could be used when someone is claiming benefit but can't speak English.

Getting benefit information on behalf of someone else (PDF 44kb)

Form 2 - claiming benefit on someone else's behalf 

This form is for when you are claiming benefits on someone else's behalf because they are unable to give you permission.  This is usually when the claimant is seriously ill or completely unable to deal with their own affairs. You will then take over all rights and responsibilities of the benefit claim, including telling us about any changes in circumstances and paying back any overpaid benefit. 

Claiming benefit on behalf of someone else request form (PDF 75kb)

Writing to us

You need to ensure you write to use within one month of the change taking place in order to ensure you do not lose any benefit you may be entitled to.  When you write to us you need to let us know:

  • name and address
  • Benefit reference number
  • a description of the change in circumstances
  • date on which the change happened/happens.

You will then need to sign the letter and send it to: Payments and Benefits, PO Box 1354, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1RZ.

What happens next?

Once a change of circumstance has been assessed you will receive a revised letter advising you of your new entitlement and any over or underpayments that have resulted as part of your declaration.

You should receive this letter within ten working days.

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