Housing benefit - change of circumstances

If your circumstances change you must tell us about it straight away as this could affect the amount of benefit that you are entitled to. Telling us straight away avoids any overpayment of benefit which you may be asked to repay.

What are the time limits?

The time limit for reporting a change in circumstance is one calendar month from the date of change. If you are late in reporting the change in your circumstances you could lose benefit.

Here are some of the changes that you should tell us about:

• Changes to your income or the income for anyone who lives with you
• Someone moving in or out of your house
• If you move address (this includes moving flats or rooms in the same building)
• Your Tax Credit changes
• Any of your children leave school
• If you or your partner stop receiving Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or Pension Credit
• Changes to the amount of rent that you are charged
• If you or someone who lives with you starts work
• If your child care payments change, or end, or if you start to pay for child care for the first time.

These are only examples of the changes you need to tell us about, it is not a full list.

If you are not sure if you need to tell us about the change or need to know how your benefit will be affected by a change, please contact us.

How do I notify you about a change?

If you have already registered your email address with Derby Benefits, the following changes can be notified by email:

• the date you moved into or out of your property
• the dates of birth of any of your household members
• if you would like to withdraw or cancel your claim
• details of any of your children leaving the household.

You can register your email address on your application form or other signed correspondence. Alternatively, you can call Derby Benefits on 01332 640000.

For all other changes in circumstance, we will need signed confirmation of the change.

• For changes in income, complete our Benefits Change of Income Form and provide the proof that we ask for on the form.
• For other changes, tell us about the change in writing and provide proof.
• Speak to Derby Benefits on 01332 640000 if you need advice.

If you have proof of the change then you need to send this to us. If you don't have the proof yet, tell us about the change anyway and let us know when you expect to receive it.

• You can post forms and proof by Royal Mail - please make sure that you tell us your reference number or name and address. Your original documents will be returned to your home address by second class post.
• You can attach your forms and proofs to an email and email them to us at enquiries.benefits@derby.gov.uk.
• You can take forms and original documents to any Local Housing Office. Please check locally for opening times, as these are subject to change.
• Please do not post original identification documents to us. We recommend that you take these to a Local Housing Office for verification or take a photo and attach this to an email and email us at enquiries.benefits@derby.gov.uk.

I'm starting work, how do I apply for an extended payment?

If you have been in continuous receipt of any of benefits listed below for 26 weeks immediately before you start work you may be entitled to an extended payment. You can tell us by email if you want to apply. Please let us know how long you expect your new job to last.

Qualifying benefits include:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Contributions-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Contributions-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance

Please note, if Universal Credit is claimed whilst starting work then extended payments are not applicable. People in this situation will automatically be entitled to a two week transitional protection.

I'm moving house, what do I need to tell you?

If there is no break between your tenancies and you are moving within Derby City Council boundaries, please complete our Benefits Change of Address Form. If you rent your new home, we will need to see proof of your new tenancy.

Other useful forms