When should I claim?
You should send in your claim form as soon as possible as benefit will normally be paid from the Monday after we receive your form.
If you move in and claim benefit in the same week then we will be able to pay benefit from the Monday of that week.
Once your benefit has been worked out we will continue to pay you until you have a change in your circumstances which means that you are no longer entitled to benefit (for example, if you start working and your wages are too high for you to qualify).
Not all changes in circumstance mean that your benefit will stop, but you must inform us of any change to your income, savings or family circumstances as soon as they happen.
We will carry out random checks on a large percentage of benefit claims every year. These checks may be by letter, telephone call or visit - it is very important that you respond to any correspondence you may receive from us as we will have to cancel your claim if we are unable to contact you. Do not wait for us to contact you before reporting a change in circumstance as this could lead to you having to pay back a large amount of overpaid benefit.
Last updated: 17 June 2008
