Use the forms at the bottom of this page to tell us about your changes in circumstances. Your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is based on the information you supplied. If your circumstances change you must tell us, because it may effect your benefit. You should notify us within one month of the change otherwise we may only be able to alter your claim from the Monday after we receive the information from you. If you do not and the change means you would get more benefit we may not be able to pay you the extra amount.
Important note to landlords
If as a landlord you receive direct payment of Housing Benefit, you have a duty to report any changes in circumstance that might affect your tenant's entitlement to Housing Benefit. As a landlord you have the right to appeal about certain details of the claim. The time limit is one calendar month from the date of the decision letter.
Examples of changes in circumstances that you must tell us about:
- changes in your income or your partners income;
- changes in income of any non-dependants, including when they stop receiving Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance (income based);
- changes in the number of people living with you;
- if your rent changes;
- if you or your partner goes into hospital for more than 52 weeks;
- if you or your partner stop receiving Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance (income based);
- if anyone living with you stops getting Child Benefit;
- if you move to a different address.
We will need proof of any changes - for example:
- your latest payslip if your earnings have changed;
- a letter from your landlord if your rent has changed.
Proofs must be originals, we cannot accept photocopies. You can post these to us or take them into one of our offices. We will need to receive these proofs within one month of the date you send this information to us. If there is a problem in providing this please tell us about it. We will need similar proofs for changes which affect anyone else in your household.
Please complete the Online notification form or download the Change of circumstances leaflet and form (PDF 400Kb)
Contact details
The Benefits Service
St Edmundsbury House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3YS
Phone: 01284 757269
Fax: 01284 757298
The Benefits Service
Council Offices
Lower Downs Slade
Haverhill
Suffolk CB9 9EE
Phone: 01440 765108
Fax: 01440 765114
Email: enquiries.benefits@stedsbc.gov.uk
Typetalk: 18001 01284 757274
