When to tell us about a benefit change
Changes to your work, money or family life are called 'changes of circumstances' and may alter the amount of benefit you get.
Tell us if you change address or if anyone in your household:
- starts or stops receiving a benefit or an income such as Universal Credit or earnings
- has a change in income such as a new job or increase in pay or hours of work
- starts or stops making relevant payments, for example child care costs or expenses for self-employment
- leaves or joins your household, for example an adult child moves out or a baby is born
- has a change in the amount of rent paid – but not if you are a council tenant
- moves, including a change of room in the same property
- is going to be away from home for 13 weeks or more
- has a pension from a previous employer that changes or start to get a pension from a previous employer
- capital or savings change
- receive any decision from the Home Office – for example, settled or pre-settled status
This list is not exhaustive. You must tell us about all changes which may affect the amount of benefit you should get.
You have a legal duty to tell us if you have any changes of circumstances which may affect your housing situation, Council Tax or any benefits you receive. You must tell us within one calendar month of the change happening
If your claim is adjusted using your earnings or pension
From time to time, a claim may be adjusted using earnings and/or pension details verified by real time information received from HMRC.
You do not need to contact us about this. If we need to discuss this further, we'll get in touch with you.