Changes in circumstances

What is a change in circumstance?

An event that changes your entitlement to benefit; for example a change in income or capital, someone moving in or out of your household or any other details we use to work out your benefit.

The changes you have to tell us about are different if you are over 60 and get pension credit. If you are over 60 and don't get pension credit, the rules are the same as for everyone else.

Over 60 and getting pension credit

Getting guaranteed credit

• changes to your tenancy or rent charge
• absence from home for more than 13 weeks
• changes to non-dependants.

Getting savings credit only

• changes to child benefit
• changes to child tax credit
• changes to capital where the total exceeds £16,000
• changes to partners not included in your pension credit claim
• a change of the people in your home, for example, when someone joins or leaves, including those admitted to hospital.

Everyone else

• an increase or decrease in wages, other income or savings
• the date you start to receive income support/job seekers' allowance (you also need to tell us if you stop receiving these benefits)
• any other award of benefit or income such as contribution-based job seekers' allowance, tax credits, incapacity benefit and so on
• a change of the people in your home, for example, when someone joins of leaves, including those admitted to hospital
• the date a child/young person leaves school
• a change in rent for private tenants
• if you change address - even to another room in the same house
• any changes in the amount and type of income(s) received by the people in your home.

Let us know within one calendar month about any changes in your circumstances or you may lose benefit.

You can tell us about your change of circumstances in writing, by completing our form or by phone or visit. If we then require further information we will contact you.

Change of circumstances form

Benefit Evidence Guide

Please remember

We need evidence of the change before we can alter your claim. Please don't delay in telling us about the change, you can supply the evidence later. However, without the evidence there will be a delay in amending your claim.

If you tell us about a change that will reduce your benefit we may suspend your claim while we deal with the change.