How to Claim

If you think you will qualify for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support don’t delay, claim straight away. Normally any help you are entitled to will only start from the week after we receive your claim. You can claim by phoning us on 01702 318197 or 01702 318198, visiting our offices or downloading a claim form from related documents below.

Evidence required for Council's application form

You must provide proof of you and your partner's identity and National Insurance numbers. You must also provide proof of income, capital and rent. Your landlord may be asked to provide a detailed rent account statement. Please note that all documentation must be originals. Copies are not acceptable.

Proof of Rent

This can be one of the following:

• Rent account
• Tenancy agreement
• Letter from the landlord

Proof of Income

If employed, you must provide wage slips covering five consecutive weeks (if paid weekly), three payments (if paid fortnightly), or two months (if paid monthly), OR you can provide a letter from your employer on official company paper which must include the following:-

• The name and address of the employer.
• The number of hours worked and the period covered.
• Gross income in year to date.
• Gross income for the pay period.
• Income Tax deducted.
• National Insurance contributions deducted.
• Occupational pension or personal pension payments.
• Method of payment, e.g. cheque, cash, direct to bank account.

If self-employed, you must provide some form of accounts. If you have only just commenced self-employment, or no acceptable accounts are available, you can contact our offices for a self employed application form or download one from our website below. If you are on any form of benefit, we will need to see your benefit notification to confirm the amount payable from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Proof of Savings/Capital

We will not need to see proof of your savings unless they are greater then £6000. If you have more than £6000 we will need to see the last  two months statements for all accounts plus evidence of any other investments you have.