Report a change in benefit circumstances
Any benefits that are given are calculated using the information on your initial application form. If any of this information changes while you are still receiving benefits you must let us know within a month of the change, so we can recalculate your entitlement.
Let us know if there are any changes to your situation including:
- change in your income or the income of someone living with you
- change in your tax credits
- a new baby in the family
- a new partner moves in
- an increase in your rent
- you move house
- your savings increase
Report a change in your situation
To report a change in your situation please complete the following form:
Report a change in your circumstancesIf you are not sure if you need to report a change or cannot use the online form please contact us by:
- calling 01242 264341
- emailing benefits@cheltenham.gov.uk making sure to include your claim number
If you report a change within a month of it happening any increases in benefit will be paid from the Monday after the change.
If you do not report a change
If you do not report a change and it reduces the amount of benefit payable, there may be an overpayment of benefit which we will recover.
We will then:
- recover the overpayment from your ongoing entitlement, or
- our overpayment recovery team will agree a repayment plan with you
If it is proved that you knowingly did not report the change, your application could be investigated for benefit fraud.
Claim review
As part of the Housing Benefit Award Accuracy initiative, we are inviting claimants to complete a review of their claim to ensure their entitlement is accurate. If you have received a letter from us asking you to complete a review form, please fill it in and return to the benefits service without delay.