Introduction
Are you receiving Income Support and unsure about how changes in your life might affect your benefits? This guide will walk you through the crucial steps of reporting changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to ensure you stay compliant and receive the support you need. From family and health changes to financial updates, understanding your obligations is essential.
If you receive Income Support, it’s important to know that any changes in your financial situation, work status, or living arrangements can affect your benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) requires you to report these changes, known as “changes of circumstances.” Here’s what you need to know about reporting these changes and why it’s crucial to stay on top of them.
What Changes Should You Report?
You must inform the DWP about various changes, even if they seem minor. Here are some key changes you should report:
Family Changes
- If you stop living with your partner or start living with a new one.
- If anyone over 18 moves in or out of your home.
- If you get married, divorced, or enter a civil partnership.
- If your partner is away from the UK for more than four weeks (or eight weeks if they are with a child receiving medical treatment).
- Changes in your children’s circumstances, such as leaving school or moving out.
Health Changes
- If you or someone you care for goes into or comes out of the hospital or a care home.
- If someone you care for passes away.
Work and Financial Changes
- If you, your partner, or any children living with you start or stop working.
- If your income changes, whether it increases or decreases.
- If you begin receiving new benefits or changes in the amount you receive from existing benefits.
Changes to Your Living Situation
- If you move to a new home or if someone moves in or out of your home.
- Changes to your mortgage or loans related to your home.
Immigration Status
- If there are any changes to your immigration status that could affect your eligibility for Income Support.
How to Report Changes
It’s best to report changes in writing. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it:
-
Write a Letter: Clearly state “Change of Circumstances” at the top. Include details about the change, like the date it happened and any relevant information (like your partner’s new address if they moved out).
-
Send it Off: Use Royal Mail Signed For to send your letter, which provides proof of postage and delivery.
- Call Jobcentre Plus: If you’re close to the one-month reporting deadline, calling might be faster. You can reach them at 0800 169 0310.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
If you miss the one-month deadline to report a change, don’t worry. It’s better to report it late than not at all. You can report changes up to 13 months late, but you’ll need to explain why you didn’t report it sooner. Keep in mind that if the change is in your favor, you’ll receive the increased support from the date you reported it. If it’s not in your favor, your payments may be reduced or stopped from the date of the change.
Finding Out Your New Payment Amount
After you report a change, the DWP may ask for additional information to determine how your Income Support will be affected. They will send you a letter detailing what information you need to provide and when it’s due. Make sure to respond promptly to avoid any delays in your payments.
If you don’t receive a letter within three weeks, it’s a good idea to call Jobcentre Plus to confirm that your change has been recorded.
Extra Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about any part of this process, you can try Contend’s legal expert chat. Their highly trained AI legal experts will work with you to provide guidance and help you understand and resolve your legal problems. Contend is the Easiest Legal Help in the UK.
Staying informed and proactive about your circumstances can help ensure you receive the right amount of support. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it!
If you’ve used the Tell Us Once service to report the death of someone claiming Income Support, you don’t need to tell the DWP.
For more info, check out some of our related articles:
