Have you had a change in circumstances?
Overview
Have you had a pay increase, or an increase in your private pension or any other income? Has any one moved in or out of your home?
You must either phone us on 01795 417555 or tell us in writing immediately if there is any change in your circumstances or the circumstances of anyone else in your household during the benefit period. Even small changes may affect how much we should pay. You can download the Change of Circumstances Form below, fill it in giving full details of the change, sign it and send it to us. If you phone us we may tell you that you must confirm some changes of circumstances in writing.
Examples of changes you must tell us about:
- If any of your children leave school or leave home
- If anyone moves into or out of your home (including lodgers and subtenants)
- If your income or the income of anyone living with you, including benefits, changes
- If you or anyone living with you becomes a student, goes on a Youth Training Scheme, goes into hospital or a nursing home, goes into prison, or gets, changes or leaves a job
- If your capital increases or reduces (unless it stays below £6000)
- If your rent changes
- If you move home
- If you or your partner are going to be away from your home for more than a month
- If you receive any decision from the Home Office
These are just a few of the changes that you must tell us about. If you have any doubt as to what you should tell us tell us anyway. If you delay in telling us about a change that would increase your benefit you may lose money.
If you receive a Pension Credit from the Pension Service you only need to tell us about:
- Changes to your tenancy or the amount of rent you pay
- Changes to the income of anyone living with you except your spouse
- Changes to dependant children
- Changes to the amount of Child Tax Credit or Child Benefit
- Your capital or savings exceed £16,000 in total
- If you move home
- If you are away from home for a period of time
If you do not tell us about a change in your circumstances or deliberately give false information in order to get more benefit than you should you might be prosecuted.
