Tell us about a change or make a general enquiry
If you receive Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or both, you must tell us about any changes in your or your family's circumstances.
This is because it may affect the amount you’re entitled to.
You need to tell us as soon as a change happens. You must tell us yourself even if you have already told other organisations like the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
What you must tell us about
You must tell us if something changes for you, your partner or those living with you.
Some of the changes that you must tell us about are:
- benefits you receive change or stop
- you or anyone living with you starts or stops working or changes jobs
- you change address
- you start to receive a state benefit
- you or anyone living with you has a change in income or savings
- the amount of rent you pay changes
- anyone moves in or out of your home
- you become a student
- anyone living with you becomes a student, apprentice or leaves education
- you or anyone living with you goes into a hospital, nursing home or prison
- you leave your home on a temporary basis, this includes going on holiday
- there are any other changes to anyone living with you
How to tell us
You’ll need:
- your last name
- your national insurance number
- your date of birth
- your postcode
- your current benefit claim reference
- date the change happened
- what the change is
- supporting evidence of the change
You’ll find your benefit claim reference on the most recent Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction letter or email. The reference will be 8 characters long and start with either a 1 or a 0 (zero).
You can add your documents when you apply.
Make a general enquiry
You can use the 'Report a change of circumstance' option to enquire about an existing claim or a claim you have recently made.
You'll need to have an account to use our online portal and make a general enquiry.
If you already have an account to view your Council Tax account you can sign in and add Benefits to your existing account.
If you do not have an account, you'll need to create one
If you do not tell us about a change
- you may lose out on what you’re entitled to
- we may pay you too much that you’ll have to pay back
You need to tell us about any change within one month of it happening
If you need to upload evidence
You can do this when you complete the form. If you are not able to provide this when you complete the form this should be provided as soon as possible. You will need your National Insurance number, and Benefits claim reference if you have one.
Upload evidence to support your benefit claim
If we need any more information, we’ll let you know.
