Benefits

Benefits advice

Tell us about a change in your circumstances

You should tell the council:

  • If there is a change in your income, your partner's income or the income of any non-dependants who live with you
  • If someone joins or leaves the household
  • If you have to leave your home
  • If you have to go into hospital or claim for someone who goes into hospital
  • If you have to go into residential care or a nursing home

Please note: Telling the Benefits Agency of a change does not mean that they will automatically tell the council.

You must also tell the council about any change in your change in circumstances in writing as soon as it happens.

It is always better to tell us of any changes in your circumstances because they may affect your entitlement to housing benefit and/or council tax benefit.

If you have been paid more than you are entitled you will have to pay this back.

When will my benefits be changed?

If the change will mean that we will pay you more benefit, we will only amend your claim from the Monday after you tell us about it, unless you tell us within 1 month of the change.

If the change will mean that we will pay you less benefit, we will amend your claim from the Monday after the change (this may mean you have been paid too much and we need it back).

Reporting a change in your circumstances

To report a change of circumstances you can:

Any letters posted to the council will be returned by second-class post.

The Benefits Service will not accept responsibility for the loss of any documents sent by post.

We recommend that you bring any valuable documents to one our benefits offices.