	Benefits Service Torbay Council Town Hall Castle Circus Torquay TQ1 3DR
	housing.benefits @torbay.gov.uk
	01803 207201 (tel)
	01803 292866 (fax)

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Change of Circumstances - FAQs

What sort of changes do I need to tell you about?

If you are in receipt of Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit you have a duty to notify the Council of any changes in your circumstances which could affect your entitlement.

You should tell the Council about any changes, however small.

Examples of the type of changes we need to know are;

Changes to your or your partner's income or capital.
Changes to the income of any non-dependents or any other adults in your household.
If you, your partner, any non-dependent or any other adult in your household stop receiving Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or any other benefits.
Changes in the number of people living with you.
If any of your children leave school or college or you stop receiving Child Benefit for them.
If someone in your household starts work.
If the rent you pay to your landlord changes.
If you move to different accommodation.
If you are absent from your home for any reason, even if you are still being charged rent and intend to return there.
If the child care you pay for changes, stops or you start to pay for child care.

This list does not cover every possible change in circumstances. Whatever the change, please tell us in writing straight away.

Why do I need to tell you straight away?

It is very important that you let us know immediately if there is a change in your circumstances.

If the change is that your income has increased, even slightly, you could be overpaid benefit if you do not tell us straight away. Most overpayments are recoverable so it will mean you have to pay this money back.

If the change results in you being entitled to more benefit, you must tell the Council within a month of the change occurring. If you do not, your benefit will usually only be altered from when you tell us about the change, meaning that you miss out on the extra money you would have been due.

How do I inform you?

Please ring the benefit help line on 01803 207201 straight away if you know that your circumstances will be changing.

You can also write to us at:

Housing Benefits
Torbay Council
Town Hall
Castle Circus
Torquay
TQ1 3DS

Fax 01803 292866

Email housing.benefits@torbay.gov.uk

What proof of the change do I need to provide?

This will depend on the change which you are reporting. If it is a change in your income we need any paperwork relating to this such as wage slips, letters from employers, benefit notifications, etc. If the change is in your capital, we will need statements for your accounts showing all transactions.

If the change is in your household such as someone moving in or out, we will need confirmation of this in writing from you and proof of any resulting changes to your income.

If you are not sure what you need to provide, please telephone the benefit helpline for advice

What happens after I have told you about a change?

We may suspend your benefit initially if you have told us about a change which could cause you to be overpaid. If we do this, we will write to you and tell you what information is needed in order to lift the suspension.

When we have all the information we need, your entitlement will be reassessed based on your new circumstances.

We will then send you a benefit notification letter showing how this has been calculated. It is very important that you read all of this letter to check that the figures used are correct. If there is anything you think is wrong you need to contact us immediately. Also write to us if you disagree with the decision