When to claim IS and inform Tax Credits of change. Also Tx Cr form.

[dragonstitcher]

I am planning to leave abusive H. I have found a flat to move to and although I don't have a moving date, I am told it will probably be first week of June.

I will be claiming IS at first (and HB). I already get Child Tax Credit but will have to notify them of my change in circumstance.

My question is should I wait until I have left and am in the new place? Or can I sort it out just before?

Also I have the new Tx Cr form. I thought I would wait until I have left before I send it off as the send by date is the end of July. I will contact them by phone before them to tell them the change. What shall I put on the form before I send it off when I have already phoned them. I mean do I put stbx income on it and write the fact that I'm no longer with him, or just leave his details off?

If you call tax credits first, and then send the form in, just put your details on the form and put in a covering note to explain what date it all applies from.

You can send in your hb form before you move. Then as soon as you move in write to the hb office giving the date you've moved. They can only pay it after you've moved in.

It depends where you are but when you claim income support they may do the hb form for you.

You don't need to send the form in you can do your renewal over the phone.

Your housing benefit you usually have to fill a form for change of address.

Is it private rent or council.

Your local housing/customer service centre might be able to help you regarding when you should notify HB.
HTH

Thank you for your replies.

I have just spoken to the lady at the council who is setting up the tenancy start up for me. She is going to give me the form for HB when I meet her on 20th and help me fill it in. So I'm OK with that now.

I will probably do the renewel for Tax Credits over the phone, so that they can help me through it.

I'm still not sure when to sort out the IS though. I was planning on doing it online.

You can do the TC over the phone, you don't need the form at all. Call them when you have a date for moving. They will end your claim with H and immediately set up a new claim for you so you don't have a break in payments

hth