The quickest way to make an intention to claim housing benefit and council tax support is to complete our online form.
You will be asked questions about your personal circumstances and be told what evidence you need to provide.
At the end of the form you'll be able to book an appointment to see a benefits assessor at our First Point office at Southwater One to hand in your evidence (see supporting documents below).
There are separate forms for customers of working age and customers who have reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit.
If you were born before 6 April 1953 you are already classed as having reached the qualifying age for pension credit. If you are unsure whether you have reached the qualifying age for pension credit (which is different to state pension age) you can check your Pension Credit qualifying age on the Gov.UK website.
Intention to claim housing benefit and council tax support (working age)
Intention to claim housing benefit and council tax support (pension age)
Make sure you have all your personal details ready when you complete the form including:
- National Insurance number for you and your partner if you have one
- the full address that you want to claim for, including the postcode
- income source and amount received by you, your partner and any non dependants who live with you
- if you or your partner are working - the name of your employer, date you started work, number of hours you normally work and how often you are paid
- full name(s) and date(s) of birth of everyone who lives with you
- if you rent your home - the full name and address of your landlord, the start date of your tenancy, the amount and frequency of rent charged
- if you or your partner are not a British Citizen - the details of your work history for the last 2 years.
At the appointment you will be able to:
- show the documents we need to support your claim, we will take a scanned copy (it is important that you bring these documents with you as we won’t be able to pay any benefit without them)
- sign your claim form
- find out how much housing benefit you are entitled to and
- receive your housing benefit award letter.
Supporting documents
The documents you need to bring with you to your appointment are:
| National Insurance number | National Insurance card, National Insurance confirmation letter, payslip, benefit award letter |
| Identity |
Passport, driving licence, medical card, birth certificate, utility bill for your current address, marriage or adoption certificate, divorce document |
| Residency | You must have moved into the property you intend to claim for |
| Tenancy and rent | Tenancy agreement, rent book, licence to occupy, proof of rent payments made/rent receipts |
| Earnings |
Last 2 monthly payslips or last five weekly payslips. If you have just started work we will accept your Contract of employment and the number of hours you are contracted for to work out an estimate of your pay. You will still have to provide your first 2 months or 5 weeks wage slips when you receive them. |
| Benefits and pensions | Benefit award/entitlement letter, Pension advice/pay slip, Bank statement showing regular payment |
| Bank accounts, other capital and properties | Last 3 monthly statements for each account, Post Office/savings book,
premium bond certificate, stocks and shares certificates
Proof of ownership, mortgage, property valuation. If you rent out a property you need to provide proof of the rent you receive from your tenant |
| Dependant children | Name, date of birth, and child benefit proof for each child |
| Child care costs | Statement from provider, invoice/receipts from provider |
| Non dependants | Name, date of birth, National Insurance number and income details |
| Housing benefit payments |
Your bank sort-code, account number and name on account.
For payments to your landlord - your landlord’s bank sort-code, account number and name on account. *Payment can only be made to landlords where the claimant satisfies certain criteria. |
Already receiving benefits?
If you are already receiving housing benefit and council tax support and wish to report a change in your circumstances make sure that you use our change in circumstances form instead.
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