Providing Information

All proof you need to give us must be original documents.  Photocopies are not acceptable.
 
All claimants need to give us:

  • Proof of their own and their partner's National Insurance number.
  • Two forms of Identification.  

Private tenants will need to give us:

  • An up to date tenancy agreement or letter from their landlord.
  • Proof of rent paid to date if they require their Housing Benefit to be sent direct to them.
  • You and your partner's income:

If you are in receipt of Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) you do not need to give us proof of this as we can get this information from the Department for Work and Pensions.
 
If you are in receipt of state benefits or tax credits, you will need to give us your current award letter showing your entitlement.  Where you do not have a letter, you will need to contact your local benefits office or the Inland Revenue to get this. 

If you are working, you need to give us your last consecutive 2 monthly or 5 weekly pay slips.  If you do not have these, we can issue you with an 'Earnings Return' form, which your employer can complete for you.  
 
If you are self-employed, you need to give us your latest set of audited accounts.  If you do not have these, you will need to complete a 'Statement of Trading' form, which is available from the Benefit Office.
 
If you have a private or occupational pension and are not in receipt of pension credit, you will need to give us your most recent pension slip.
 
You must give us proof of all other income.  In most cases a recent letter from the source of the income will be enough.  If you are unsure of how you can give us proof of your income, please contact this office for advice.
 
You also need to give us proof of all savings and investments you have.  This includes current accounts, savings and investment accounts, stocks and shares, National Savings certificates, premium bonds and ISAs (this list is not exhaustive). 
 
For all bank and building society accounts, you need to give us your latest statements covering one full month.