Change in circumstances

Tell us about a change

If you have any changes to your income or savings, members within the household or move address you must inform us promptly of this. This is so that your claim can be updated and the correct Housing Benefit amount can be awarded.

Circumstances change all the time and we need to be kept informed of any new information that could affect your benefit claim.

If you receive Pension Credit then you do not need to tell us any information regarding changes in your income, please contact GOV.UK - The Pension Service directly.

If you receive Universal Credit you need to contact GOV.UK - Universal Credit regarding changes in your income.

Data Protection Act

Preston City Council will use your information in a manner compatible with the Data Protection Act. Any disclosures or sharing of information will only take place where required or permitted by law. 

What happens if I don't tell you about a change in circumstance?

If you do not tell us about a change in your personal circumstances and we pay you too much Housing Benefit, we will ask you to pay us the money back as you will have been overpaid.

You can check if your benefit entitlement has changed following your change in circumstances by viewing details of your benefit claim online.

Change of address

If you are already receiving benefits from us and you move address, you need to re-apply for benefits at your new address. If all your circumstances have/will remain the same at your new property, for example your household members and income have not changed, you only need to provide proof of your rent with your application.

If, when processing your application form, we do not receive all evidence to process your claim or we need to clarify some information with you, we will suspend your benefit payments. 

This will stop you being overpaid and receiving an invoice which you would have to pay back.

When your claim is processed for your new address we will re-start your benefit claim and decide how much benefit you should be awarded.

You can make a claim for benefit at your new address using the online E-Claim service.

Re-apply for benefits at your new address

Moving out of Preston

If you have moved out of the Preston area and need to inform us of your change of address please complete the change of address form.

Inform us of your move out of Preston

Examples of changes

Some examples of changes affecting you or your partner which you need to tell us about are:

Income

• If you get a pay rise or do extra overtime
• If you or your partner start or stop work or change jobs
• If you start or stop getting any state benefits (for example, Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, tax credits).
• If the amount of tax credits you receive goes up or down

Child Benefit

• If you start or stop receiving Child Benefit
• If the amount of childcare you pay goes up or down

Savings

• If the value of your savings or investments goes up or down although if your total capital remains below £6000 you do not have to tell us of any changes

Household

• If anyone joins or leaves your household or their income changes (we will need their new addresses for anyone who leaves your property)

Your income

• If your rent changes
• If you change address (we will need your new address so we can contact you)
• If you are going to be away from home for a period of more than 13 weeks you need to inform us

Your address

• If you change address (we will need your new address so we can contact you)

Examples of changes in circumstances for your household

• Birth of a baby
• If any of your children leave school if child benefit ends for any of your children
• Anyone moves into or out of your home (for example, children, partners, lodgers and subtenants)
• If you or your partner (if you have one) go into hospital, a nursing home, into prison or are going to be away from home for more than 4 weeks. Please see absence from your home for more information.
• If someone living with you stops or starts work
• If you or your partner (if you have one) stops or starts caring for a disabled person
• If you or your partner (if you have one) or anybody else who lives with you becomes a student or begins a Youth Training Scheme

Changes in circumstances for Income

• If you or your partner (if you have one) or someone living with you stops or starts getting Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance or any other type of state benefit
• If you stop or start to receive Child Benefit
• If you stop or start to receive Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance or PIP
• If there is any change in income (either up or down) for you or anyone who lives with you. For example, wages, benefits, tax credits, pensions etc. If you start work we will need to see 5 wage slips if paid weekly, 3 if paid fortnightly and 2 if paid monthly

Changes in circumstances for your Accommodation

• If your rent goes up or down or the service charges change
• If you move address - even if it is to another room or flat in the same property
• If any of your children leave school
• Anyone moves into or out of your home or dies (for example, children, partners, lodgers and subtenants)
• If you or your partner (if you have one) go into hospital, a nursing home, into prison or are going to be away from home for more than 13 weeks. Please see absence from your home for information.
• If there are any changes to the income or circumstances of anyone who lives with you
• If your rent goes up or down or the service charges change
• If you move address - even if it is to another room in the same property
• If the income of a partner not included in the Pension Credit claim changes
• If there is any change in income (either up or down) of anyone who lives with you. For example, wages, benefits, pensions etc.
• If you stop or start to receive Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance

Capital

• If the amount of you and/or your partners (if you have one) capital, savings or investments changes