When someone moves house within the borough is this a change of circumstances or does a new claim form for HB and CTB need to be filled in?

A change of address is a change of circumstances - it does not require a new claim and there is no legal basis on which an LA can insist on a new claim.

HOWEVER, particularly in cases involving private tenancies (including Housing Association cases), the easiest way to gather any new information is by completing what happens to be a claim form. The form itself doesn't count as a claim - it simply contains (hopefully!) the information relating to the change of address and serves a dual function of enabling the LA to see if all the other details are correct.

My advice is to complete a claim form in such circs, unless you (or the client) happen to know enough about HB to be certain of what info is needed relating to the change.

We have been told by our HB department that a change of address form is all that is needed in this situation as they have all proof and ID and income details already...

Should have added, can do change of address form only if tenant has been in receipt of HB in the last 12 months.. if not, then a new claim form will be needed..