When you make a claim for benefits, you need to supply us with information that allows us to properly assess your entitlement. We can't process your application without all the right information, so if you don't give it to us you may end up having your benefit payments delayed.
If you provide all of the following, we can process your claim in the quickest time possible.
1. Your fully completed claim form.
This means that you must answer every question and sign the declaration on question 20.
2.
Two separate documents as proof of your identity.
This can two of the following; birth certificate; marriage certificate; passport; medical card; driving licence; UK residency permit; EEC identity card; recent utility bill.
3.
Proof of your national insurance number, and if applicable, your partner's also.
This can be your national insurance card, recent wage slips a P45 or P60, a letter from the Benefits Agency or an order book from the Department for Works and Pensions, tax credit notifications.
4.
Proof of your income, and if applicable, your partner's income or anyone else who lives with you.
This must include:
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Proof of any earnings from employment. We need your last five payslips if you are paid each week, your last three payslips if you are paid every two weeks, or your last two payslips if you are paid monthly. If you or your partner are self-employed, we need to see your accounts for the last financial year. If you have been trading for less than six months, send us a summary of your trading accounts so far.
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Proof of any private pensions you receive. This should be your pension pay slips, or a letter from the Pension provider.
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Proof of any child maintenance you receive. This can be a letter from the Child Support Agency showing how much maintenance you receive.
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Proof of any other benefits you receive such as tax credits, child benefit etc.
We need your award notifications from the Department of Works and Pensions, The Pension Service, or the Inland Revenue detailing how much you are receiving. If you do not have proof, let us know straight away.
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Proof of any money people (other than your family) pay you for board and lodgings.
We will need the signed written agreement you have with your boarders or lodgers.
5.
Proof of any savings, investments or any other capital held by you, your partner or your children.
We will need to see all your bank or building society statements for the last two months, post office account books, or certificates for premium bonds, National Savings Certificates, ISA’s, stocks, shares and unit trusts.
6.
Proof of your rent if you are renting from a landlord or housing association. Send us your rent book, rent receipts, tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord.
7.
Proof of any money you pay towards childcare or a private pension that is not paid through your employer.
We will need to see your contract with your registered child carer and proof of any private pension contributions you pay.
* Please note:
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Pension credits
If you already get pension credits (savings credit or guaranteed credit), you only need to provide proof of your entitlement to pension credits. We do not need to see proof of any other income, or capital you have.
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Second adult rebate
If you have applied for a second adult rebate on your council tax, we only need to see evidence as listed above for the ‘second adult’, together with proof that the person making the claim is liable for council tax at that property.
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Education benefits
You will need to give us details of your child's school and proof of the qualifying income you receive, proof of child benefit and also one of the following;
- proof of your income support
- proof of income based job seekers allowance
- proof of your guaranteed credit
- proof of your child tax credit
If you want to claim education benefits and are also applying for housing benefit or council tax benefit, we will automatically award free school meals and school clothing allowance. You do not need to give us any extra evidence in addition to what provided for your housing or council tax benefit.
Every document you give us in support of your claim must be an original document.
This means we cannot accept photocopies. But don’t delay in sending your claim form if you are waiting for proofs. Send the form in now and send the supporting information at a later date, as long as it is within four weeks of you submitting your claim.
You can send your form and documents to the address shown on the application form or, alternatively you can hand it in at your local housing office or one stop centre.