Tell us about a change in your circumstances if you're claiming benefits

Tell us about something else

The changes you need to report will depend on whether you’re claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claimants

If you’re claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, you’ll need to tell us, including if:

• your rent changes
• your children leave education
• your income, or the income of someone you’re living with has changed
• a lodger or subtenant have moved in or out
• your capital changes, unless it’s under £6,000 or £10,000 if you're of pension age
• anyone moves in or out of your home, including dependent children
• you, or your partner, are going to be away from home for more than one month

If you're not sure whether you need to tell us about a change in your circumstances, contact our Benefits team.

You’ll also need to tell us if someone living with you:

• is claiming benefits and their benefit entitlement changes
• becomes a student
• goes on a youth training scheme
• goes into hospital, a nursing home or prison
• gets, changes or leaves a job

Tell us about a change

You can tell us about a change in your circumstances online if you’re:

• claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support
• your circumstances have changed but you’re not moving home

You’ll need your:

• National Insurance number
• nine digit benefit reference number, which starts with either a two or an eight

For alternative ways to tell us about a change in your circumstances, including by email, visit our contact page.