Tell us about changes that could affect your benefits

If you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, you must tell us about any changes in your circumstances within one month of the change happening. Letting us know promptly helps us make sure you receive the correct amount of benefit.

Why you must tell us

If you don’t tell us about a change:

  • You may receive too much benefit and have to repay the extra.
  • You may miss out on extra benefit you are entitled to.

Changes you must tell us about and evidence we may ask for

Household changes

What this includes

  • Someone moves in or out of your home
  • A baby is born
  • Your partner joins or leaves your household 

Evidence we may ask for

  • Proof of identity for any new household member
    (e.g., passport, birth certificate, driving licence) 

How to report

(Select 'existing claims' followed by 'report a change of circumstances')

Report a change to your household

Changes to work, income, savings or benefits

What this includes

  • You or someone in your household starts or stops work
  • Your earnings go up or down
  • Your benefits start, stop or change
  • Your savings, capital, or investments change
  • You open or close a bank or building society account

Evidence we may ask for

If someone starts work

  • 5 weekly, 3 fortnightly or 2 monthly payslips
    (If you don’t have them all yet, send what you do have) 

If someone stops work

  • Final payslip
  • P45

If your earnings change

  • Last payslip at the old amount
  • 5 weekly, 3 fortnightly or 2 monthly payslips showing the new amount 

If benefits start, stop or change

  • Award letters showing dates and amounts

If savings/capital change

  • Bank or building society statements showing:
    • Your name and address
    • Account number and sort code
    • All transactions
    • The date the balance changed
  • Proof of opening or closing any accounts

How to report

(Select 'existing claims' followed by 'report a change of circumstances')

Report a change to work, income, savings or benefits

Address changes

What this includes

  • You move to a new address within Norwich City Council’s area
    (Tell us after your first night in the new home.)
  • You change something affecting your Council Tax (e.g. you now live alone)
  • If you move outside Norwich

Evidence we may ask for

  • Proof of rent at your new address (e.g., tenancy agreement, rent book)
  • A letter from your old landlord if you’re paying rent at two addresses
  • Proof of any new people living with you
  • Bank details if you want Housing Benefit paid directly to you
  • Or a tenant‑to‑landlord form if you prefer us to pay your landlord

How to report

(Select 'moving')

Report a change of address

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