Council tax benefit - change of circumstances

 

If your circumstances change in any way, you must tell the Benefits Team of the council straight away.

Why? 
Your benefit award has been worked out on the information you gave us on your last claim form.  If your circumstances have changed since then, your benefit award might be wrong. Some changes will mean you get more Council Tax Rebate and some changes mean you will get less Council Tax Rebate, but it is always in your interests to tell us of any changes right away - otherwise we may have to claim money back from you later.

Some of the main changes you must tell us about are:

  • Changes in your earnings or other income
  • Changes in your savings
  • Changes to your Tax credits
  • Changes to your Pension credits
  • The amount or type of Benefit you get changes
  • Someone in your house starts or stops working
  • Someone else moves into your home
  • Someone leaves your home
  • Family members stop living with you
  • Your family increases
  • Your non-dependant's income goes up or down

You should tell us in writing about the change in yourcircumstance. Tell us what the change is and tell us the date the change happened, then sign it. You can go into your local council office and the staff there can write down what you tell them and then ask you to sign it. 

This list is not exhaustive. If you have a change of circumstances and you are unsure we are here to help.  For advice contact us on 01506 776800.  We will be able to advise you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

Am I eligible to claim an extended payment for council tax or housing benefit?

If you were receiving Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based), or Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance for at least 26 weeks in a row, you may be eligible for an extended payment when you start your new job, provided you claim within four weeks of starting your new job.

How is council tax benefit paid?

We will pay your Council Tax Benefit directly into your Council Tax account.

I get council tax benefit, so why did I get a bill that says I owe money?

Council tax benefit does not cover water and sewerage charges; you must pay these yourself.

I have recently started work in a fairly low paid job. Can I still apply for Council Tax and Housing Benefits even though I don't have the amount of payslips needed to process my claim?

Yes, you can still apply for Council Tax and Housing Benefit, but you should apply as soon as possible as any delay may mean a loss of benefit. You should include a note stating that you have only recently started work and will provide payslips as soon as they become available.

I received a 25% Single Person's Discount on my Council Tax until my unemployed daughter returned to live with me. I don't qualify for Benefit because my income is too high. Is there any other help available to me now that I have to pay extra?

You can make a claim for what is known as a second adult rebate. This is done on the normal benefit application form. You can claim this because your daughter is unemployed and therefore has a low income. If you are not sure whether you may be entitled to ordinary council tax benefit you can claim both. The council will work out your entitlement under both schemes and you will be awarded the one most beneficial to you.

What is a 'change in circumstances'?

A 'change in circumstances' is when your situation changes and your benefits are affected. If you are getting benefits or think you may now be entitled to get different benefits, you must write and tell us at once if your circumstances change - a phone call is not enough. Tell us at once in writing if any of the following happens: you change your address, you start or stop getting Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, your income and/or capital changes, the income and/or capital of your children or other people in your household changes, anyone joins or leaves your household, you or your partner go into hospital for more than four weeks or long term care in a nursing home.

What is an extended council tax or housing benefit payment?

When you get a job, or increase the amount of hours you work at your current job, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit extended payments can help you to meet your housing and Council Tax costs for up to four weeks during the period between the last payment of Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) and receipt of your first wage. From April 2004 the extended payment scheme has been widened to include some claimants who are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit and/or Severe Disablement Allowance. A qualifying condition is that you have been in receipt of Income Support/Job Seeker's Allowance (income based)/Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance for 26 weeks or more and that you must notify the Local Authority or Department of Work and Pensions of your change of circumstances within 4 weeks of the change.

What will I receive if I qualify for an extended payment on my council tax or housing benefit?

If you qualify for an extended payment, it means an extra 4 weeks of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit payable at the same rate whilst in receipt of Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance. It does not matter how much you earn. If your extended payment period covers any 'rent free' weeks you will not be paid for these weeks. If you move home during the extended payment period you may be paid at a different rate.

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