If I have any changes
If you currently receive Housing Benefit and there is a change in any of your personal circumstances, you must let us know as soon as possible.
Your Tax Credits could be changing
The tax credit office is currently reviewing the amount of tax credit you receive. Once you receive a letter from them, please contact the Benefits Service, as it may affect your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
Moving Address
If you move home or have a change in address you must immediately tell us in writing. Late notification of the change could lead to an overpayment.
If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit, are moving within the borough and wish to claim Housing Benefit at your new address, then you must complete and return a change of address form.
You can download a change of address form here, or if you call 020 8356 3399 we will post a form out to you.
If you have had other changes in your circumstances since last time you claimed then you need to tell us this as well.
Income support/Job Seekers Allowance has stopped
If Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) or Income Support has stopped, then you need to let us know as soon as possible.
You should also provide proof of your new income and any savings you may have.
What happens if there are changes in my income or savings?
If your savings and/or income has changed (not Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance) you should contact us, notify us either in writing or directly. We will require you to provide proof.
What happens if there is a change in my rent?
If private rent charges change then you should confirm the rent changes in writing. Proof of the new rent level will be required.
What happens if there are changes to the people living with me?
If you or your partner leave the household, then a new form should be completed by the person remaining in the home. It will be likely that your income will have changed and details and proof will be required.
If a non-dependant or a dependant leave the household, you need to contact us to let us know what date they left and their forwarding address.
This is also the case if a boarder, tenant, sub-tenant or carer leave.
The service may not be able to remove someone from an address without details of their forwarding address and if you are unable to provide a forwarding address you will have to provide an explanation.
We need to be informed of all changes in your circumstances as soon as possible. If you delay it could lead to an overpayment that you will need to pay back. If you fail to report a change of circmstances within a month of the change, you may lose benefit as a result.
In all cases, It is your duty to notify us of a change in your circumstances.
Page updated: 24 Jan 2012
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