Housing benefit - change of circumstances

If your circumstances change in any way, you must tell the Benefits Team of the council straight away.

Why? 
Your benefit award has been worked out on the information you gave us on your last claim form.  If your circumstances have changed since then, your benefit award might be wrong. Some changes will mean you get more Council Tax Rebate and some changes mean you will get less Council Tax Rebate, but it is always in your interests to tell us of any changes right away - otherwise we may have to claim money back from you later.

Some of the main changes you must tell us about are:

  • Changes in your earnings or other income
  • Changes in your savings
  • Changes to your Tax credits
  • Changes to your Pension credits
  • The amount or type of Benefit you get changes
  • Someone in your house starts or stops working
  • Someone else moves into your home
  • Someone leaves your home
  • Family members stop living with you
  • Your family increases
  • Your non-dependant's income goes up or down

You should tell us in writing about the change in yourcircumstance. Tell us what the change is and tell us the datethe change happened, then sign it. You can go into your local council office and the staff there can write down what you tell them and then ask you to sign it. 

This list is not exhaustive. If you have a change of circumstances and you are unsure if youneed to tell us, contact us on 01506 776800 to discuss it. We will be able to advise you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

Can I claim housing benefit for more than one home?

Usually you can only receive Housing Benefit for your main home. You may be able to claim for two homes if you have had to leave home because of actual or threatened violence, if you have moved but have to pay rent on your old home at the same time (for up to four weeks only), or if you are a qualifying student or trainee who lives away from home.

How do I ensure that my housing benefit claim is correct?

When you apply for Housing Benefit, you will sign a declaration which confirms that you will tell us of any change in your personal circumstances which may affect the payment of your claim. It is important that you tell us of any changes immediately to make sure that the correct amount of Housing Benefit is awarded to you. It is your responsibility to tell us of any change in your personal circumstances.

How does being away from home affect my housing benefit?

If you are away from home and intend to return home then you should tell us, as you may be able to claim. Normally Housing Benefit can only be paid for absences up to 13 weeks and you must contact us before you go away. If you go into hospital for a long time, your housing benefit will be only be paid for a maximum of one year (52 weeks).

How is my Housing Benefit paid?

Benefit can be paid directly to yourself or your landlord if you are private tenant by means of a cheque being issued 4 weekly or weekly if your landlord is a Houing Association. If your property is owned by the council, a credit will be made to your rent account each week.

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