Make a Housing Benefit claim

When applying, we need to confirm all of the information that you give us on the application form. In most cases, we will need to see proof of your identity and National Insurance Number, but we may also ask you for proof of income, savings and rent. Requested proof may include:

• Proof of identity. You will need to provide two items, which may include a passport, birth certificate, driving licence, or a recent utility bill.
• National Insurance Number. You can find this on benefit books or letters from the Department of Work and Pensions, wage slips, P45 or P60 or a National Insurance card or letters from the tax office.
• Savings and investments. We need to see up-to-date proof of all your bank and building society accounts, even if they are overdrawn. We will normally need to see two consecutive months of bank statements for each account. We also need to see proof of any stocks, unit trusts, shares, national savings or any other savings or investments that you have.
• Income and benefits. We need to see five consecutive wage slips if you are paid weekly or two if you are paid monthly. If you have just started work, do not wait until you have these before claiming benefit. You can send us your first wage slip or ask your employer for a letter confirming what your wage will be. We can estimate your entitlement and revise the calculation when your payslips are available. If you can't find your payslips, ask us for a certificate of earnings to send to your employer. We also need to see proof of any benefits or other income you receive. This could include child benefit or tax credits. If you do not have the proof, we may be able to confirm the details with the relevant office; contact us for advice on 0151 443 4042.
• Proof of rent.
• Your tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord.
• Evidence of all income for anyone else who lives with you, for example, a relative or friend.

Provide your supporting documents online or by using the self-service stations in any of our libraries until you receive your benefit decision notice. When you have received your benefit decision notice you can register for My Account which will allow you to view your claim online and upload documents.

Do not send valuable documents through the post.

Sometimes, we can get proof of benefits and allowances from other government offices, such as the Department for Work and Pensions and the Pension Service and we will try not to ask you to provide the same information to more than one office.

It is important that you do not delay in returning your claim for benefit. If you are elderly or have mobility problems please contact us on 0151 443 4042, and we will arrange to come out and verify the documents in your own home.