Housing benefit change of circumstances

rorysdad

I read that one has 1 month to notify a change of circumstances with regard to housing benefit,

Notifying after 1 month is a criminal offence and failure to noify is fraud?

What would happen if one notified after the one month (eg: notifying 6 months after the change took place) and the notification resulted in an overpayment of benefit for the period?

Why would anyone who should notify a change but (for whatever reason) notify late bother to notify if they have already committed a criminal offence and acted fraudulently and likely to be prosecuted and end up in court by failing to notify within 1 month?!

RD

[Deleted User]

I suppose there are 2 questions..what is the change? and how much £ is involved.

Alice_Holt

A) Because by continuing to receive the ineligible benefit, the greater the over-payments to be repaid.
The longer the receipt of the ineligible benefit, the more likely a criminal prosecution for fraud.
C) Conscience?