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Changes you need to report

You must report any change in your circumstances to your local benefit office as soon as it happens, whether or not you think the change is directly related to your benefits.

Some examples of the changes you need to report include:

How changes may affect your benefits

Sometimes a change in your circumstances may mean that your benefit rate will change, or that you become entitled to an additional or a different benefit. For example, if you're a lone parent getting Housing Benefit and you decide to look for work, you may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance as well.

Other changes in your circumstances, for example getting a pay rise, may mean you no longer qualify for a benefit or will get a reduced amount.

From 1 October 2023 you may have to pay a £50 financial penalty called a ‘civil penalty’ if you’re benefit is overpaid because you:

• gave incorrect information and didn’t take reasonable steps to correct your error
• didn’t tell DWP or your local authority about a change without a reasonable excuse
• didn’t give DWP or your local authority information without a reasonable excuse

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

• Find your local authority - England only Opens new window

Benefit fraud

If you deliberately fail to report a change in your personal circumstances you are treated as having committed benefit fraud. If you're prosecuted for benefit fraud you could be fined or get a prison sentence.

See 'What happens if you're suspected of benefit fraud?' for the rules about loss of benefit entitlement following a benefit fraud offence.

• What happens if you're suspected of benefit fraud

Other times your benefits may change

Sometimes your benefits may change even when your circumstances remain the same. For example, the government increases most benefit payments to make sure they keep in line with inflation each year. You'll be told of any changes that affect the amount of money you get.

Reporting changes

You can report a change in your circumstances or find out how your benefits might change, by contacting your local benefit office.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus

More useful links

• Understanding the benefits system

• Get independent advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau website Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts