Changes in circumstances to report when claiming benefits

Why do I need to report changes in circumstances on benefits?

If you receive any benefits, you are legally required to report certain changes in your circumstances.

This is to make sure that you are receiving the correct benefits at the correct amount, and a change in circumstances may mean a change in eligibility.

For the financial year of 2021-22, the UK Government reported £8.6 billion in overpayments, and £2.6 billion in underpayments, due to fraud and error.

What can happen if I don’t report changes in circumstances?

If you do not report your change in circumstances immediately, you may be receiving money that you are no longer eligible for or losing out on payments that you are now eligible for.

If you are being overpaid, you may need to pay back the money and/or have the benefit stopped.

If you reported the change late by mistake, it should be easy enough to sort out and repay the overpayment (or receive back pay for an underpayment), though you may get a £50 fine.

If there is suspicion that you have deliberately not reported your change in circumstances, or intentionally provided false information, you may be investigated for benefit fraud.

This could land you with a penalty to pay and/or in court.

If you get convicted of benefit fraud, depending on the severity and intention of the crime, you could face:

• An unlimited fine
• A prison sentence of up to 10 years

Which changes in circumstances do I need to report?

The changes you need to report are primarily those which affect your eligibility for the benefits you receive, as well as administrative changes.

• Changes to your health and care
• Changes to your medical condition or a new diagnosis
• The level and frequency of care or support you need
• You go into hospital
• You move into a care home, or stay in one temporarily
• You go into sheltered accommodation
• You start receiving home care
• Change of doctor’s details

Changes to your personal details

Changes to your:

• Name
• Gender
• Address
• Bank details

Changes to your finances

• Your rent changing
• Changes to your pension(s), savings, property or investments
• Changes to your income, including any money you earn and that any you receive in grants, funding or loans
• Inheritance
• Coming into money unexpectedly, such as winning it

Changes to your work or education

• Changes to your job, such as leaving your job, starting a new one, or changing to a different role within your company
• The number of hours you work
• Changes to the education, training or apprenticeship programme you are on

Changes in your household

• Change in benefits of others in your household
• Back-pay/arrears paid to you or your partner
• People moving in or out of your home (including lodgers)
• Somebody within your household dies
• Having a baby
• Marriage or divorce
• If you get child benefit, any of these changes

Other changes you must report

• You will be going abroad
• A prison sentence
• Changes to your immigration status if you are not a British Citizen
• Becoming or ceasing to be somebody’s carer, whether they be an adult or a child

How do I report a change of circumstances?

You’ll need to contact the appropriate organisation about your change in circumstance.

If you receive more than one benefit, you may need to contact multiple organisations. For example, if you receive Housing Benefit and Carer’s Allowance, you’ll need to report your change in circumstances to both your local council and Jobcentre Plus.

Most benefits

Contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus. You’ll need your National Insurance number ready.

You can find your nearest Jobcentre Plus and their contact details.

Specific benefits

A few benefits have distinct organisations that you need to contact to report changes in circumstances.

These include:

• Universal Credit
  • Report changes using your online account or contact the helpline.
  • Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644 (textphone: 0800 328 1344)
• Pension Credit
  • Pension Service helpline: 0800 731 0469 (textphone 0800 169 0133)
• Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
  • Disability Service helpline: 0800 731 0469 (textphone 0800 169 0133)
• Child Benefit
  • Report changes online or call HMRC.
  • HMRC telephone: 0300 200 3100

To report a death

England, Scotland or Wales

Use the Tell Us Once Service.

Northern Ireland

Use Northern Ireland’s Bereavement Service.

Further reading:

• If you live in the UK and are under state pension age when your spouse dies, you may be eligible for the Bereavement Support Payment.
• If you or your partner receives certain benefits and a close friend or relative dies, you may be eligible for the Funeral Expenses Payment to help with funeral costs.