From 14 November 2018, most working age customers will need to claim Universal Credit for help with their rent. View more information the eligibility for Housing Benefit to see if you are eligible.
Universal Credit will not cover Council Tax. If you need help to pay your Council Tax, view our information about how to claim Council Tax Reduction.
Intention to claim online forms
The quickest way to make an intention to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction is to complete our online form. There are separate forms for customers of working age and those who have reached State Pension age.
You will be asked questions about your personal circumstances and be told what evidence you will need to provide. It is important that you provide the correct information when asked on the form and during the appointment so that we can accurately calculate your entitlement.
At the end of the form, you'll be able to book a telephone appointment with a benefits assessor. Please choose a date when you think you will have all information and evidence available so that, wherever possible, we can process your claim during the appointment. The information and evidence required are detailed below.
Please make sure you have all your personal details ready when you complete the form, including:
- your National Insurance number and that of your partner, if you have one
- the full address that you want to claim for including the postcode
- the income source and amount received by you, your partner and any non-dependants (adult relatives or friends who don't live with you on a commercial basis) 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
- the 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, and the amount and frequency of rent charged
- if you or your partner is not a British Citizen, the details of yours or their work history for the last 2 years.
What will happen during the telephone appointment?
Important: Please ensure that you have your phone switched on, charged and are ready to accept our call as we won't be able to complete your claim if we can't contact you.
When a Benefit Assessment Officer contacts you, they will:
- check your details, your household details, income and capital with you
- once all of the required information has been provided, assess your entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, and give you details about how much you are entitled to
- if you have been unable to email us proof of your income and capital, discuss with you how you could provide this.
Supporting documents
| Information | Document type |
|---|---|
| National Insurance number | National Insurance card, National Insurance confirmation letter, payslip, benefit award letter. If we need you to provide proof of your National Insurance Number, we will discuss this with you at your telephone appointment. |
| Identity | Passport, driving licence, medical card, birth certificate, utility bill for your current address, marriage or adoption certificate, divorce document. If we need you to provide proof of your identity, we will discuss this with you at your telephone appointment. |
| Residency | You must have moved into the property you intend to claim for. |
| Tenancy and rent | If you are claiming Housing Benefit, your tenancy agreement, rent book, licence to occupy, proof of rent payments made/rent receipts. |
| Earnings | We can usually check the amount of your or your partner’s earnings with HMRC. If we are unable to check your earnings, we will discuss this with you at your telephone appointment. 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 then need to provide your first two months or five weeks payslips when you receive them. |
| Benefits and pensions | We can usually check most Benefits paid by the DWP directly with them so that you don't need to provide evidence. We can also check most occupational pensions with HMRC. We will let you know at the telephone appointment if you need to provide proof. If we need to see proof, we will ask you to provide a benefit award/entitlement letter, pension advice/pay slip, bank statement showing regular payment. |
| Bank accounts other capital and properties | Last three 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 the account. For payments to your landlord+, your landlord’s bank sort code, account number and name on the account. |
| + Payment can only be made to landlords if the claimant satisfies certain criteria. | |
Are you already receiving Housing Benefit?
Do you need to apply for Universal Credit?
Visit the Universal Credit website for more information and to make a claim
Last updated: 01/06/2022 16:09
Libraries on Facebook
Libraries on Twitter