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 06 April 1953 you are already classed as having reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit. If you are a man, this does not mean you are entitled to the State Retirement Pension. If you are unsure if you qualify you can check when you will reach your Pension Credit qualifying age on the Gov.UK website.
| Born between | and | Qualifying age reached on |
| 06 April 1953 | 05 May 1953 | 06 July 2016 |
| 06 May 1953 | 05 June 1953 | 06 November 2016 |
| 06 June 1953 | 05 July 1953 | 06 March 2017 |
| 06 July 1953 | 05 August 1953 | 06 July 2017 |
| 06 August 1953 | 05 September 1953 | 06 November 2017 |
Intention to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support (working age)
Intention to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support (pension age)
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.
We will register your intention to claim, tell you what evidence you need to provide and make you an appointment to see a Benefits Assessor at First Point, Southwater One.
Make sure you have all your personal details ready before you call us, 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:
- hand in all the evidence we have asked you for
- sign your claim form
- find out how much Housing Benefit you are entitled to and
- receive your Housing Benefit award letter
If you don’t have enough information or evidence with you, we may ask you to make an appointment to come back.
More information about our First Point office at Southwater One, including opening times, can be found at First Point Telford
Supporting documents
| 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. |
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