In this section:

• About child maintenance
• Things to think about for separating couples
• Who to tell about a change in circumstances

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Home › What is child maintenance? › Who to inform

Who to tell about a change in circumstances

Checklist: who to tell about the change in your life

When a relationship breaks up, lots of things may change. You may have to move home or, if you aren't moving, you might have to start taking responsibility for paying the bills. Your financial situation might change, with different amounts of money coming in and going out. This means there are a number of people and organisations you should tell about the change in your life.

Your money:

You should tell:

your landlord or mortgage lender

your local authority council tax department

your bank or building society

any creditors you have (such as companies with which you have a credit card or a personal loan)

the Tax Credits Office if you need to apply for tax credits for the first time or if you are already receiving tax credits

Jobcentre Plus if either you or your ex-partner is getting benefits

your local authority if they pay you housing benefit

the Disability and Carers Service if you are receiving attendance allowance or disability living allowance

Your work

You should tell:

your employer. The only things you specifically need to tell your employer are your address and your next of kin details, if they are changing. However, it may help to let your employer know about the changes in your personal situation so that they are aware that you are going through a difficult time and can make allowances for this.

Your home

You should tell:

utility companies, including water, gas, electricity and telephone (if the person named on the bill will no longer be responsible for paying it or if you are setting up a new home.)

your insurance company

the Post Office® if you need to redirect your mail

the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)if you need to change your address details on your driving licence or vehicle registration documents

TV Licensing if you need to change the address details on your television licence

the Identity and Passport Service if you need to change your name and address on your passport

your family and friends who can help and support you.

Your children

You should tell:

your children's schools. The only things you specifically need to tell your children's schools are your address and your next of kin details if they are changing. However, it may help to let your children's teachers know that your situation at home is changing, because sometimes children's behaviour at school can be affected when their parents' relationship breaks up.

Your health

You should tell:

your doctor and dentist to change your next of kin and address details (if you are moving out of your current home)

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Related information

• Read our leaflet "What is child maintenance and how does it affect me?" [PDF 246Kb]
  
  

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