Reporting Changes in your circumstances when claiming benefits

You must report changes to your personal circumstances to the appropriate government department straight away or you risk ending up being under or overpaid, with any overpayments usually needing to be paid back. Be aware that a deliberate failure to report a change in your circumstances could be treated as benefit fraud.

Changes you need to report

You need to report any changes to your work, money or family life.  If someone else is included in your benefit, such as a spouse/partner or child, then you also need to report any relevant changes in their circumstances.  The following is not an exhaustive list and please seek our advice if you are unsure whether a change needs to be reported.

·         Changes to work include finding, starting or finishing a job; working different hours; being unable to work due to illness/disability;

·         Changes to money include income going up or down; receiving an inheritance; changes to benefits you or anyone else in your house gets; changes to pension, savings, investments or property; receiving back-pay for salary/earnings you’re owed; changes to any other money you receive (such as student loans/grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity);

·         Changes to family life include people moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner, a child or lodger); the death of your partner or someone you live with; moving house; having a baby; starting or stopping caring for someone; getting married or divorced; starting or ending a civil partnership; you or someone else in your household starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship; going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation;

·         Other changes you may need to report include changing your bank details; changes to your medical condition or disability; changing your doctor; planning to go abroad for any length of time; changing your name or gender; changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen.

How to report changes

Who you need to notify depends on the benefits you receive. If you claim more than one, you must report changes to each relevant department or organisation separately. Your benefit letters explain how to report changes, either online or by phone.  Or you can check https://www.gov.uk/report-benefits-change-circumstances for details of how to report your changes in circumstances.  If you are unsure whether you need to report a change or need help with reporting a change you can contact PWCAC for guidance and support.

PWCAC is OPEN for face-to-face advice (appointments and drop-ins) Monday to Friday, 9:30 – 1:30. If you need advice about welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, money guidance, relationship breakdown, consumer issues or anything else, get in touch:

info@pwadvice.org | 01892 838619    94 Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6DP