Who to inform when moving into a care home: the full checklist

When someone moves into a care home, tell the organisations that pay their benefits first. GOV.UK says to report the stay to each benefit provider as soon as possible if the person enters a care home for one night or longer. After that, work through the council, GP, banks and pensions, DVLA, the electoral register and household contracts.

At a glance

• Report the move to whoever pays each benefit. A relative or representative can do this on the person’s behalf.
• Self-funders usually keep Attendance Allowance, PIP and DLA. If the NHS or the council pays, most benefits usually stop within 28 days, though some mobility payments may continue if the council pays.
• The empty home does not get a Council Tax bill for as long as it stays empty, but the council still needs to be told.
• Register with a GP near the care home. No ID or proof of address is needed.
• DVLA must be told of the new address. The fine for not doing so can be up to £1,000.

Who should I tell first?

Start with anything that pays money to the person or takes money from them. The order below puts money first and convenience last. Most of it can be done in a few phone calls, ideally in the first week.

Which benefits are affected, and who do I contact?

Each benefit has its own contact. GOV.UK lists them as follows.

What happens next depends on who pays the fees. A person who pays for the care home themselves can keep PIP (daily living and mobility), DLA (care and mobility), Attendance Allowance and the severe disability extra with Pension Credit. GOV.UK says any other benefits stop for self-funders, so tell the Pension Service and the council about the move and ask what changes for Pension Credit and Housing Benefit. If the NHS or the council funds the place, most benefits usually stop within about 28 days of admission, although some mobility payments may continue if the council is paying. Our guide to benefits in a care home explains each case, and State Pension and benefits in a care home covers the pension side.

Have these details ready when you call:

• Full name, date of birth and National Insurance number, plus a partner’s details if they are on the claim
• The care home’s name and address, the admission date and the previous address
• How the stay is being paid for and which council is involved
• Any power of attorney or appointee, and any hospital stays in the 28 days before admission

GOV.UK warns that giving wrong information or failing to report a change can lead to court action or a penalty. If the person lives in Scotland, include details of any application for free personal and nursing care. A carer who claims Carer’s Allowance must also report that the person they look after has gone into a care home, using GOV.UK’s Carer’s Allowance change service. The same page asks carers to report their own holidays and hospital stays.

What do I tell the council?

GOV.UK lists the home of someone who has moved into a care home or hospital among the homes that do not get a Council Tax bill for as long as they stay empty. You still need to contact the council to have this applied. If a partner or another adult stays on in the property, different discount rules may apply, so ask the council before assuming anything.

Housing Benefit is paid by the local council, so tell it about the move at the same time. If the council is helping to pay the fees, it will carry out a financial assessment. Our guides to the care means test, the 12-week property disregard and deferred payment agreements explain how a home is treated while a decision is made.

How do I update the GP and NHS records?

The NHS says you can register with a surgery near the new address online, through the NHS App or on paper. You do not need to tell the old surgery, because it is notified automatically. The NHS also says you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register. Someone who cannot make this decision themselves can be registered by a relative, main carer or an attorney under a lasting power of attorney.

Ask the care home which GP practice and pharmacy it works with, because homes often arrange medicines through a single supplier. Then update the dentist, optician, chiropodist and any hospital clinics. Hospital letters sent to the old address are easily missed.

What about banks, pensions, insurers and the house?

Write to each bank, building society, pension provider and insurer with the new address. If the account holder cannot manage this, the attorney named in a registered lasting power of attorney can usually act. Without one, see Court of Protection deputyship.

If the house will be empty, tell the home insurer. Many policies limit cover once a property is unoccupied, so check the wording rather than assume. If the house may be sold to pay fees, read selling a house to pay for a care home first.

Do I have to tell DVLA, the electoral register and TV Licensing?

DVLA must be told about any change of address, and GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not. The online service is free. Update the vehicle log book (V5C) too. If the person has stopped driving, GOV.UK explains that a licence can be voluntarily surrendered, and that there is no legal age at which you must stop.

GOV.UK says you need to register to vote again if your address changes. It takes about five minutes online. For television, see our guide to TV licences in care homes.

Utilities, post and household contracts

Take final meter readings, then close or transfer the gas, electricity, water, broadband and landline accounts. Cancel or redirect subscriptions, newspapers and charity direct debits. Ask Royal Mail about a redirection service so letters reach the care home or a relative. If the person is not ready to give up their home, keep the essential bills going and agree who pays them.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to tell DWP if my parent pays for their own care home?

Yes. GOV.UK asks you to report any care home stay of one night or longer, even for self-funders. A self-funder can usually keep PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance, but other benefits stop, so the provider needs to know.

How long do I have to report the move?

As soon as possible. The 28 days in the rules is when most benefits usually stop for people whose care is funded by the NHS or the council. It is not a reporting deadline, so do not wait for it to pass.

Can a relative report the move for someone else?

Yes. GOV.UK says someone else can report the care home stay on the person’s behalf. Have the person’s National Insurance number and the care home details to hand, and mention any power of attorney or appointee.

Do I still pay Council Tax on the empty house?

Usually not while it stays empty. GOV.UK includes the home of someone who has moved into a care home among those with no Council Tax bill while empty. Contact the council to claim it, and tell it if anyone moves in.

Do I have to tell the old GP surgery?

No. The NHS says your old surgery is notified automatically when you register somewhere new. Register at the surgery that covers the care home and ask the home which practice it uses.

Where to get help next

Print our checklist for moving into a care home and read what to pack. If you are still choosing, see moving a parent into a care home, work out costs with the what will I pay tool, or browse homes through Find care.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Claiming benefits if you are going into a care home
• GOV.UK: Council Tax, second homes and empty properties
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance, report changes
• NHS: How to register with a GP surgery
• GOV.UK: Change your address on your driving licence
• GOV.UK: Register to vote

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.