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Benefit documents

We need to see certain documents before we award housing benefit and/or council tax reduction to verify your identity and circumstances.

Residents must provide original documents and not copies. Important documents should not be sent through the post but should be delivered in person, to avoid getting lost.

If a resident receives Income Support, income-based Job Seekers Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit they will need to provide the following information:

  • National Insurance Number for both the individual and their partner if they are living at the same address. This could include National Insurance Number Card, a pay slip or a letter from a Government Organisation.
  • Details of the benefits they receive such as award notices or letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • Proof of identity (see list below)
  • Details of rent payments such as a tenancy agreement or verification of rent form
  • Details of any non-dependant income if applicable  

If a resident is on low income they will need to provide the following information:

  • National Insurance Number for both the individual and their partner if they are living at the same address. This could include National Insurance Number Card, a pay slip or a letter from a Government Organisation.
  • Most recent consecutive pay slips (five if paid weekly, three if paid fortnightly, two if paid monthly). If these aren’t available the employer must complete an earnings certificate.
  • For those who are self-employed they must provide their most recent accounts. If these are not available they must complete a self-employed pro-forma.
  • Details of the benefits they receive such as award notices or letters from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • Details of any savings, capital or investments such as bank statements.
  • Proof of identity (see list below)
  • Details of rent payments such as a tenancy agreement or verification of rent form
  • Details of any non-dependant income if applicable  
  • Details of any other income such as child-maintenance.

Proof of identity

Proof of identity is required when submitting claims for housing benefit and/or council tax reduction. Claimants must provide two documents from the list below, at least one of these must be from ‘List A’. If a resident lives with a partner they must provide one document from ‘List A’ as proof of identity.

List A

  • Benefit payment book showing National Insurance Number
  • Pay slips from current employer
  • National Insurance Number card
  • P45
  • P60
  • Letter from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM REvenue and Customs (HMRC) showing National Insurance Number
  • Bank statement of self-employed persons paying Class 2 contributions by Direct Debit

List B

  • Bank statement (dated within the last four weeks of the claim)
  • Birth certificates (full or short)
  • Certificate of employment in HM forces
  • Certificate of employment in the Merchant Navy
  • Divorce/annulment papers
  • Full Driving Licence (not provisional)
  • Gas, water, electric or BT phone bill paid and receipted for the last quarter
  • Letter from a solicitor, social worker or probation officer
  • Life assurance/insurance policies
  • Marriage certificate
  • Medical card
  • Passport (current and valid)
  • UK Residence Permit
  • Home Office Standard Acknowledgement Letter (SAL1 or 2)
  • Identity card issued by an EC/EEA member state

Please note that some birth and marriage certificates carry disclaimers on the bottom stating they cannot be used for identification purposes - we regret we cannot accept these.