What happens if my circumstances change?

You must tell us straightaway.

We will need to work out your benefit again because we don't want to pay you too much or too little.

If you delay telling us about a change in circumstances that will increase your benefit we may not be able to backdate the change.

We want to pay you the right amount of Benefit now, so we don't have to ask you to pay money back later if we overpay you. 

You can tell us about any changes by:

Telephone:(01902) 551166

In person: at Benefit reception, Civic Centre, St Peter's Square or any Wolverhampton Homes Office

In writing to: Benefits Division, PO Box 3300, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ZT or you can use the change of circumstances form below to tell us

Email: citydirect@wolverhampton.gov.uk

 

What do you need to tell us?

Here are some examples of the sort of changes we need to know about. If in doubt, please tell us!

• A change in income of you, your partner, any other adults or children who live in your home such as
  • earnings going up or down
  • getting a new benefit/pension/tax credit
  • losing a benefit/pension/tax credit
  • the amount of benefit/pension/tax credit changes
  • getting an occupational or private pension
  • a change in an occupational or private pension
  • Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance starting or ending
• A change in savings/capital of you, your partner, any other adults or children who live in your home
  • bank, building society or other accounts going up or down
  • getting new bank, building society or other savings/capital
• A change in your family and/or other people who live with you  
  • a birth
  • a marriage
  • a child leaving school
  • someone leaving or joining your home
  • fostering a child
  • a disability
  • someone going into/out of hospital
  • a bereavement
• A change in your home
  • moving into a new home
  • your rent going up or down if you are a private tenant
  • a change in the sort of tenancy you have if you are a private tenant.

 

It is important that you tell us the date(s) of any changes and provide evidence such as your wage slips if your wages have changed.

The above is not a complete list. If you are not sure, contact us and we will tell you if it will affect your Housing or Council Tax Benefit

 

Returning your form

It is important you return this form quickly, so that we can pay you the right amount of Benefit as soon as possible.

It helps us to work out your new benefit quickly if you provide all the information and evidence we need straightaway but don't hold onto this form because you do not have all of the supporting evidence -  bring or send this as soon as you can.

If you bring in the evidence we need we will photocopy it straightaway free of charge and give it back to you.

 

Do I need to tell anyone else if my circumstances have changed?

Yes!

If you are under 60 and get Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance or any other social security benefit you need to tell the Job Centre straightaway. Click here to go to their web site.

If you are 60 or over you must also tell the Pension Service of any changes. Click here to go to their web site.