Individuals tell us about a change

Individuals are told in their notice of determination of an award that they must tell us about changes in their circumstances (Social Security (Scotland) Act S.56) that may affect their award.

The notice explains that an individual must tell us if:

• the individual’s condition gets better or worse
• the level of help and care they need changes
• they go into or leave residential care
• they move away from Scotland
• they enter or leave legal detention
• they are admitted to a hospital or similar institution

An individual must tell us about these changes either:

• within a month or
• as soon as can be reasonably expected.

This is explained in more detail in the chapters on change of circumstances which are mentioned in the previous section.

The notice of determination of an award tells an individual both:

• that they are legally required to tell us about these types of changes
• how they can tell us about these changes.

If the individual does not tell us about a change of circumstances they could:

• be liable to repay an overpayment
• be committing a criminal offence