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What to do if your circumstances change

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

It is very important to let the benefits office know if there are any changes in your circumstances.  This is because your benefits depend on the information you gave when you made your claim.  If your circumstances change, you may no longer be qualified to get the benefit.  This could count as fraud, which is a criminal offence or you could be paid too much benefit and have to pay it back at a later date. This could cause you a lot of problems.

Common changes include:

• You start living with someone
• You get a job
• Your hours of work change
• You get a pay rise
• You win or inherit some money
• Your child reaches the age of 16
• You stop getting benefits like Income Support
• You go into hospital or into residential care.

If you get into trouble because you did not report a change in your circumstances, it is very important to get expert advice as soon as you can.

This information has been produced by Citizens Advice. 

Date of publication: 5 November 2008