Report a change in your circumstances

If you currently receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, you need to tell us straight away about any change that could affect how much benefit you get.

If you delay telling us about a change

• you may lose out on extra benefit 
• we may pay you too much and you'll have to pay it back

Changes you must report

Tell us if any of the following apply to you or anyone in your household:

• you are away from home for four weeks or more (including travel outside Great Britain)
• your income, wages go up or down or you start or stop work, or your working hours change
• your savings go up or down such as Bank accounts, savings and investments
  • If you or your partner has combined savings or assets over:
    • £6,000 (for working-age people)
    • £10,000 (for pensioners)
  • If you receive Pension Savings Credit only report savings over £16,000.
  • If you receive Guarantee Pension Credit you do not need to report changes in your savings.
• your childcare costs change
• you move home or your rent changes
• someone moves in or out of your home
• there is a birth of a child
• your children leave school or start work
• the circumstances of anyone living with you change
• any other change that could affect your benefit.

Evidence you may need to provide

We may ask for documents to confirm the change. This can include your tenancy agreement (especially if you move home) showing:

• your name
• tenancy start date
• rent amount and frequency
• any charges included (for example heating or water)
• the date you moved or intend to move.

We may also ask you for your:

• payslips or proof of income
• bank statements
• childcare invoices

If we need more evidence, we’ll contact you and explain what to provide.

• Evidence