Tell us about a change in circumstances

If you get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, you must tell us about any changes in your situation within one month of the change.

If you don’t, you might:

• get too much benefit and have to pay it back
• miss out on extra benefit you could be getting.

What changes you must tell us about

You must tell us if there are changes to:

• your household (someone moves in or out, has a baby, etc.)
• your income, savings, or investments
• your address (if you're staying in the Norwich City Council area)
• your Council Tax (e.g. you now live alone – report this via Revenues Online).

What evidence you need to provide

Change in household

If someone moves in or out, we may need proof of identity for new household members.

Changes to income, savings or benefits

If someone starts working:

• 5 weekly, 3 fortnightly, or 2 monthly payslips
• if you don’t have them all, send in what you have.

If someone stops working:

• final payslip and P45

If earnings change:

• last payslip at old amount
• 5 weekly, 3 fortnightly, or 2 monthly payslips at new amount

If benefits start, stop or change:

• award letter showing the benefit and start/end date

If savings change:

• bank/building society statements showing:
  • name and address
  • account number and sort code
  • all transactions
  • date the balance changed

If you open or close an account, send proof of opening/closing balances.

Change of address

Only tell us if you're staying in the Norwich City Council area. 

Wait until you’ve spent your first night at the new address.

If you're moving out of Norwich, use the ‘End my benefit’ form in Benefits Online.

What you need to provide:

1. proof of rent at your new address (e.g. tenancy agreement or rent book)
2. letter from your old landlord if you’re paying rent at both addresses
3. proof of new household members (if applicable)
4. bank details if you want Housing Benefit paid to you 
   Or complete the tenant-to-landlord form if you want it paid to your landlord