Make a note of any small change

If you currently claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit from Nottingham City Council, you must let us know whenever the circumstances change in your household.  It could affect the housing and council tax benefits that you receive.

What do you need to do?

The amount of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you are paid is worked out using the details that you provide.  If any of these details change at any time, you must tell the Benefits Service immediately.

You must explain what has changed in your circumstances and the date of the change, and send proof of your new circumstances.  Please note we can only accept original document (not photocopies).  You can contact us in writing, in person, by telephone or by email – click here for our contact details.

We aim to deal with the changes you have told us about within two weeks.  You will receive a letter to confirm that the changes have been actioned.

Why is it important for you to tell us about any changes?

You must tell us if there are any changes in your circumstances because it could affect housing and council tax benefits that you receive.

If you don’t tell us about a change in your circumstances within one month of it happening, you may lose out on benefit.  If you are paid too much benefit, you will have to pay it back.  Delays in telling us will increase the amount you have to pay back.

Examples of changes you must tell us about:

Income – your own and that of anyone else living in your household

• If you or your partner stop or start getting Income Support or Job Seeker’s Allowance.
• If you or your partner stop or start work.
• If you or your partner’s wages go up or down.
• If you or your partner’s occupational pension goes up or down.
• If you or your partner’s savings (capital) change.
• Any changes if payments you get from sub-tenants or boarders.
• If you or your partner start or stop getting any state benefits, or if your benefit changes to a different benefit.
• If someone you look after stops getting Attendance Allowance.
• If someone living with you, who is aged 18 or over, starts or stops work.
• If the wages of someone living with you, who is aged 18 or over, go up or down.
• If someone else living with you stops or starts getting Income Support or Job Seeker’s Allowance.
• If you or your partner’s Tax Credit changes.
• If you stop providing care for someone and stop getting Invalid Care Allowance.
  

If you are aged 60 or over and receive Pension Credit, either Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit, you should inform the local Pension Service of any changes to your income.

Accommodation details

• If your rent changes.
• If your landlord changes.

Household details

• If you move. - you can download a change of address form here.
• If you or your partner go into hospital.
• If a partner, or anyone else, moves in or out.
• If you or your partner are going to be away from home for more than 1 month.
• If any of your children leave school or leave home.
• You stop receiving child benefit for any of your children.
• If you have another child.
• If you get married or register a Civil Partnership.

Click here to download our leaflet which explains what to do if your circumstances change.