Change of Circumstances

Examples of a change in circumstance.

· Anyone in your home starts work

· Any of your children leave school or you stop receiving CB for them

. You move

· Anyone moves in or out of your home.

· Anyone in your home has a change in income or capital

· Any changes in your rent.

Evidence in support of a change in your rent.

Should show the date of change, the new amount of rent, the frequency of payment, your name and address, what is included in the rent and the landlords name and address. Evidence could be:

· A letter from the landlord.

· A rent certificate.

· A tenancy agreement, signed by the customer and the landlord.

Evidence in support of a change in your income.

Customers who are of working age and pensioner who are not receiving Pension Credit should report any changes in their income, and provide evidence of the change. The evidence must be an original document and show the date of change and new amount of income. Evidence could be:

· Payslips, the last one showing the old amount and the first one showing the  new amount.

· Letter from an employer detailing the date of change and the new amount.

· Award letter from other agencies detailing a new award or a change to a private pension, working tax credit, child tax credit, state retirement pension, incapacity benefit etc.

Customers who receive Pension Credit should report any change to the Pension Service.

Evidence in support of a change in your savings and investments.

Customers who are of working age and pensioner who are not receiving Pension Credit should report any changes in their capital, and provide evidence of the change. The evidence must be an original document and show the either the date of the new investment or the date of change and new amount of capital. Evidence could be:

· A passbook, showing the date the account was opened and the balance or the date of change and the new account balance.

· Monthly statement showing the date the new account was opened and the balance or the date of change and the new account balance.

· Letter from the fund holder, showing the date of the new investment and the amount or the date of change and the new account balance.

· Any paperwork from the investment company showing and recently acquired or sold assets.

· Customers who receive Pension Credit should report any change to the Pension Service.

Evidence in support of a change in your expenses.

A change in childcare costs should show the date and amount of the change. This can be a letter from the childcare provider, or you may request a childcare expenses form.

A change in private pension contributions should show the date and amount of the change. This can be a letter from the pension provider to show the new contribution.

A partner has joined or left the household.

The customer should report the date a partner joins or leaves the household. If a partner is joining the household their full name, date of birth, national insurance number, previous address, income and capital details must be provided. Evidence of identity, income and capital must be supplied.

If the partner will be, or is in receipt of Job-Seekers Allowance or Income Support  the Department of Works and Pensions must be advised. The direct gov website will give you further details regarding this

An adult (not partner) has joined, returned or left the household.

The customer should report the date any adult joins the household, together with the full name, date of birth, previous address, income and capital details of that person. Evidence of their income and interest on their capital is required.

Another adult in the property usually means a non-dependant charge has to be made, unless that person is a Boarder (pays rent to the customer for living in the property and receives prepared meals), a Joint Tenant(named on a tenancy agreement) or a Sub tenant (pays rent to reside at the property).

If proof of the non-dependant's income and interest on capital is provided the deduction will be determined by their gross income. If no proof is provided the highest non-dependant charge will be applied to the claim.

View table of non-dependat deductions 2012/13 for housing and council tax benefit.

Change of address.

If the customer in receiving housing, and, or council tax benefit in the South Somerset District Council area a Change of address form must be completed and returned to us.  Proof of any changes must be supplied.

If the customer is receiving housing, and, or council tax benefit in another area and is moving to South Somerset District Council area a new application form must be completed.

We need written confirmation, after the customer has moved in, where       they have completed an application form prior to their move.

Read our Notifying a Change of Circumstances guide

You have to report any change to your circumstances to ensure you continue to receive the correct amount of housing and, or council tax benefit.

Comments/FAQs

Benefit change in Circumstances FAQ

 

A. How soon must I tell you of a change in my circumstances?

It is important that any change in your circumstances is reported, immediately it occurs. Your benefit will be reassessed from the Monday following the date of the change. However, if you delay longer than one month in reporting a change and it will result in an increase in your benefit entitlement your Housing/Council Tax Benefit claim will only be reassessed from the Monday following receipt of your notification. If the change will result in a decrease in your benefit entitlement the change will be taken back to the Monday following the date of the date of the actual change.

A. What information do I need to provide if my income has changed?

When providing proof of an increase or decrease in your income you must submit original documents. These documents could be: your latest payslip showing the change, a letter from your employer notifying you of the change, a private pension payslip, an award letter for tax credits, pension credits etc.

A. What information do I need to provide if I have a change in my capital?

Other than your cash savings you must provide proof of all the accounts that you or your partner have. This proof should be your statements covering at least nine consecutive weeks. If you are unable to provide these statements please send a letter from the bank or building society confirming the account type, the account balance and any transactions in the last nine weeks. You must also provide proof of any investments you currently hold or have recently acquired or sold. Please ensure all evidence is an original document. We cannot accept copies.

A. What information do I need to provide if my rent changes?

You will have to provide a letter from your landlord detailing the change or increase in your rent or a new tenancy agreement. This must contain date of increase/change, amount and frequency, what is included in the rent your name and address and your landlords name and address. Any tenancy agreement must be signed and dated by both parties. Please ensure all evidence is an original document. We cannot accept copies.