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Residents change of circumstances
Although Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are awarded for indefinite periods, you still have a duty to tell us about any change in circumstances that might affect your entitlement to Benefit.
Contact Benefits, Revenues & Customer Services on 0151 606 2002 to report any change of circumstances.
You must tell us if there is any change in your circumstances that might affect how much Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you get.
You must tell us of any change straightaway, even if you have already told someone else like the Jobcentre, The Pension Service or your landlord.
If you don't tell us promptly
- you may be paid too much benefit which you will have to repay
- if the change means you are entitled to more benefit, we may not be able to award you the increase if you tell us about it more than a month after the change took place
This is not a full list and you should tell us about any other changes that you think may affect your entitlement.
Below are some examples of changes you need to tell us about
- a change of address, even if this is only for a temporary period; for example, if you or a member of your family are admitted to hospital. You don't need to tell us about short term visits to relatives or holidays
- a change in the amount of rent you are charged, or a change of landlord
- if you, or any member of your family starts work
- changes in the number of people who live with you, or their status; for example, the birth of a child, a child leaves school, or some joins or leaves your household
- a change in the amount or type of income that you or any household member receives. This includes new awards of benefit; for example; Disability Living Allowance
- increases or decreases in your savings and capital, other than minor day to day fluctuations
- You must tell us about your change in writing.
- Tell us your name and address and give us your benefits reference number or National Insurance number
- Tell us what has change and the date from which it changed
- Provide evidence of the change; for example, notice of rent increase, benefit award letter, wage slips
You can telephone to let us know about the change, but we will usually expect you to follow this up with written confirmation and evidence of the change.
If you are on a low income, you will have to pay back any money incorrectly paid. Forgetfulness and innocent oversights are no excuse. You will be breaking the law if you don't tell us about changes and corrections. We could treat this as fraud and that could lead to you being prosecuted.