What if my circumstances change?
If my circumstances change do I have to tell you?
If you have a change in your circumstances that you think might affect your entitlement you must tell us about it – you can use the online change in circumstance form, but we may still need evidence of the change.
You must do this without delay and within 21 days at the latest. If you fail to notify a change in circumstances you may be liable to prosecution or we could impose a penalty.
Changes you should tell us about
The list is not exhaustive but a change in your circumstance could be something like:
- Any of your children leave school or leave home;
- Anyone moves into or out of your home, including lodgers and sub tenants;
- Your income or the income of anyone living with you changes;
- Your savings or investments change;
- You or anyone living with you becomes a student, goes into hospital or a nursing home, goes into prison, or changes or leaves a job;
- You are or intend to be out of the country for more than 4 weeks.
Changes in circumstances are effective generally from the Monday following the date of change.