Changes of circumstances

Have you had a change in your circumstances?

All the notes on this page are of a general nature and apply across the range of benefits but if you are recieving Pension Credits please see notes in text box immediately below.

General changes in circumstances (other than Pension Credits)

As part of your original application for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit you will have signed a declaration stating that you will notify the Council of any change in your circumstances that might affect your benefit claim.

What changes in circumstances will affect my claim (and must be reported)?

Changes in your or your partner's income such as:

• Wage increase/decrease
• Overtime worked
• Pension increase/decrease
• Award/end of benefit

• Someone enters or leaves your home
• The circumstances of the people living with you change
• Any increase or decrease of capital
• Your rent increases/decreases
• You move from your current address

If you are unsure whether or not you are required to report a particular change in your circumstances contact us for advice.

When must I tell you about a change in my circumstances?

Immediately! If any change occurs that will result in adjustment to the amount of benefit you receive you must inform the Benefits section as soon as you are made aware of it.

Changes that reduce your benefit entitlement. You will be required to repay any overpayment of benefit that is the result of your failure to report a change in your circumstances.

Changes that increase your benefit entitlement. If you report a beneficial change to your circumstances more that a month after it occurred you could lose the right to have the outstanding arrears paid. The change would be made effective from the date it was reported and not the date it occurred.

How do I inform you of a change in circumstances?

It is not sufficient to telephone the Benefits Department to inform them of a change, you must notify us in writing. This can simply be a letter explaining the nature of the change and the date it occurred. You will also need to supply evidence to support the change - if you are unclear on what proof might be required please phone the Benefits Department for advice.

Please be aware that only original documents can be accepted - these will be returned to you once a Benefits Assessor has verified them. We do not recommend sending valuable documents by unsecured post; these should either be delivered by hand (where they will be verified and returned while you wait) or sent recorded delivery. We will return valuable document (such as account passbooks, benefit books, share certificates etc) to you by recorded delivery.

What can I do if I'm unsure about the way you have assessed a change to my benefit?

You will receive a letter from us that will show how we have recalculated your benefit. If you are unsure about or disagree with this you have the right to:

• ask us for a written explanation of our decision
• ask us to look again at our decision and see if it should be changed
• ask for you case to be reviewed by an independent tribunal

You have one calendar month from the date of your decision letter to do this. If you respond later than this you may lose your right to challenge our decision.

What can I do if a change in my circumstances is causing me hardship?

Social Security Law governs the amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you receive. However the Council is sometimes able to provide addition help for anyone who is not entitled to receive full benefit. If you think that your circumstances are causing you hardship please see our Discretionary Housing Payments page.