You must inform us immediately

If you do not tell us straight away, we may pay you too much benefit, which you will have to pay back.

If you are not sure whether you should tell us about something please ask us for help.

Please remember that deliberately giving false information or failing to report changes of circumstances is fraud and could lead to prosecution.

Pension Credit claimants

If you receive Guarantee Credit or Guarantee Credit plus Savings Credit, you must report any change in your circumstances to the Pensions Service. You must also report the following to the Benefits Section at the Council in writing:

• any changes to your tenancy (other than council rent changes)
• if you are likely to be absent from home for more than 13 weeks
• if a member of the household moves in or out or if their income changes, and
• if you are going into or coming out of hospital

If you receive Savings Credit only, you must report the following to the Benefits Section at the Council in writing:

• any changes to your tenancy (other than council rent changes)
• if you move out or are likely to be temporarily absent for more than 13 weeks
• changes to dependent children
• if anyone moves in or out of the household
• changes to the income of non-dependants
• changes to Child Tax Credit and/or Child Benefit
• changes to capital where the total becomes more than £16,000
• changes to the income and capital of partners not included in the Pension Credit claim, and
• if you are going into or coming out of hospital

All other customers

You must tell us about all changes that may affect your Benefit. Some examples of the things you must tell us about are:

• if you change address 
• if someone joins or leaves your household 
• if your or your partner's income increases or decreases 
• changes to the income of any other household members 
• changes to capital 
• if your or your partners Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance ends
• starting work
• rent changes - except council house rents
• if you are going to be absent from your home for more than 13 weeks; or
• if you go into or come out of hospital.

This list does not cover every change that you need to tell us about. If you are unsure whether you need to tell us about something then please contact us for advice.

You can enquire about any aspect of claiming Council Tax or Housing Benefits online