Renfrewshire Council

If your circumstances change while you get Housing Benefit

What changes we need to know about, how and when to tell us about a change in your circumstances.

It is very important you tell us about any changes in your circumstances. 

Changes that we need to know about include:

  • change of address
  • change to the amount of rent you pay
  • change to your childcare costs
  • someone has moved in or out of your home, including the birth of a baby
  • you or anyone you live with has started or stopped getting Income Support, Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credits or Universal Credit.
  • you or anyone you live with has a change in income
  • you or anyone you live with has started or stopped working
  • you or anyone you live with now has more savings, investments or property
  • if any children in your household have left school; or started work, training or further education
  • if you or your partner are away from your home for more than 13 weeks within England, Scotland or Wales
  • if you or your partner or anyone else in your household are away from your home for more than 4 weeks outside England, Scotland or Wales.

If you don't let us know about changes like these, you may miss out on benefits you are entitled to, or we may pay you too much Housing Benefit.

If this happens, you may have to pay the money back or it could be considered fraud.

If we have paid you too much Housing Benefit, we will write to tell you.

You must let us know within one month of the change. 

Tell us online if your circumstances change

Or you can email us at benefits.finit@renfrewshire.gov.uk or tell us in writing at:

Renfrewshire Council 
Benefits Service 
Renfrewshire House 
Cotton Street 
Paisley 
PA1 1AD

Make sure you include your claim reference number or national insurance number (NI) if you contact us by email or post.