Change of circumstances - benefits

Benefits Update

The Benefits service is dealing with an increased volume of enquiries and claims and this is causing unavoidable delays. Please do not visit the Council. Request/send in information by email at benefit.services@stroud.gov.uk - put "Claim Ref" and your claim number in the subject line, e.g Claim Ref 12345 - or send by post.

Visit the Housing Benefit page to see if you claim help with your rent from us or Universal Credit. Visit the Council Tax Support page to see how to claim help with your Council Tax. Visit the Universal Credit page for advice about UC and how to claim.

If you have to visit us because you can't email us you can leave any documents in a sealed envelope with your name and address in the post box outside to the right of the entrance.

Here are examples of changes we would need to know about. You must supply proof of these changes, with exact date(s), where applicable.

Type of change	Examples of changes you must report
Ending your claim	Date you are moving out of the Stroud District Date you no longer need help paying your rent or council tax
Changes to any benefits or unearned income received by any adult in your family	Date you start or stop receiving job seekers' allowance, income support, employment and support allowance, pension credit or Universal Credit Date you start or stop receiving tax credits, pensions, disability living allowance or attendance allowance
Employment changes for any adult in your family	Date you start or stop working Date of increase or decrease in salary or hours worked
The number of people living in your house	Date you have a new baby Date another person moves in Date someone moves out of your home
Moving home	Date you have moved to another property
Rent change	Date of increase or decrease in your rent You only need to tell us about changes in your rent if you are a private tenant (including renting from a housing association)
Bank accounts, savings and investments	The amount of savings you have is over: £6,000 (for working-age people) £10,000 (for pensioners) £16,000 ends entitlement for all

Change of circumstances form - benefits
If you are, for example, moving home, changing employment details or changing the number of people living in your house, you must report it to us. We will require proof of these changes, where applicable.