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What Happens if My Circumstances Change?
If your circumstances change, you should tell Sheffield Benefits Service about the changes as soon as possible. To make notifying us about changes easier, you can ask us for one of three special change of address and circumstance forms.
Why happens if I don't tell you?
If you do not tell us about a change of circumstances within one calendar month of the change, you could be losing out - the change could result in an increase in your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
Similarly, if you do not tell us about changes in your circumstances, you may have to repay any Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit which you should not have received.
What sort of things do I need to tell you about?
The following list gives examples of changes you need to tell us about -
- A change to where you live
- A change to who lives with you
- If you start work
- A change in your wages, private pension or any other income you receive
- A change to the amount of rent you pay
- If you start or stop receiving Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
- If you start or stop receiving any other benefit
- If your capital, such as savings and investments, alters
This is not an exhaustive list, these are only examples of changes you need to tell us about.
One of my household members has had a change in their circumstances, do I need to tell you?
Yes, because if your partner, one of your dependants and/or one of your non-dependants has a change in their circumstances it may affect your entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
If you are not sure whether a change will affect your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit – tell us anyway.
Can I get some further advice?
Of course. To find out how to contact us or where to go to get further information and advice, go to Points of Contact for Benefit Help.
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