Apply for Housing Benefit

Claims are dealt with as quickly as possible but may be held up if any information is missing from your application.  

We will write to you if further information is required from you. Failure to provide all required information can delay your claim's processing, and you could lose out on benefits.

If the claim form is received with all the supporting documentation we need, assessments will generally be made within 14 days. You will then receive notification of any entitlement and how this will be paid.

The amount you receive will be calculated based on the following:

• The money you and your partner have coming in, for example, earnings, some benefits, tax credits and occupational pensions
• You and your partner's capital, savings and investments. Such as banks, building society or post accounts, premium bonds, National Savings Certificates, ISAs, stocks, shares and unit trusts
• Your circumstances, such as your age, the number of people in your household, the ages of your children and whether you or any of your household are disabled

If you have not claimed Housing Benefit before you may need to provide personal identification documents for you and your partner, proof of rent (private tenants only), and proof of income. We also have to check your National Insurance Number.

The number of proofs you will need to supply depends on your circumstances and is fully explained in the claim form.

Proof of Identity

• Passport (which must be current and valid)
• Driving Licence
• Recent Bank Statement
• Recent Utility Bill - paid
• Letter from solicitor/social worker/probation officer/doctor/Inland Revenue
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Divorce Papers
• Medical Card
• Proof of Rent

Proof of Rent

If you are a private tenant we will need to see proof of your rent. Only original documents are acceptable. This can be one of the following:

• Tenancy agreement
• Letter from your landlord
• Rent book with a letter from your landlord
• Letter from your agent
• Proof of rent form

Proof of Income

You may also need to provide original proof of your income and of your capital and savings. Photocopies are not acceptable.   All the information you provide is private and confidential. This may include:

• Various letters, award notices for example, from DWP which shows us the amount of income you are receiving
• Wage Slips
• Occupational Pension Slip
• P45/P60 - current employment year only
• Tax letters or tax code notices
• Bank statements, share certificates

We want to make sure your claim is assessed correctly from the start. It also has to comply with government regulations and guidance and all evidence asked for on the application form are needed to assess your claim. If you do not provide this, your claim cannot be assessed.

If you have been in the UK for less than 5 years we will need to ask for evidence of your immigration status. This will include either your passport, Home Office papers, visa documents, worker registration documents etc. We will also need proof of your National Insurance Number(s) or evidence that you are to be allocated one.

We have to gather additional details about you and your individual circumstances to make sure you are entitled to claim Housing Benefit.

How do I claim if I get a Pension Credit?

The Pension Service pays Pension Credits.

When you make a claim for a Pension Credit, if you do not already get Housing Benefit you will be asked whether you want to make a claim.

When the Pension Service has assessed your entitlement to Pension Credits, they will tell us about this. With this information, we will assess any entitlement to Housing Benefit.

How do I claim if I am not on Pension Credit?

You may not get Pension Credit if your income or savings are too high

You should claim Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction directly from us by filling in a claim form. Once you have filled in the form, send it back to us as soon as possible.

You can still claim if you have savings.  

Working-age customers - The lower capital limit is £6,000 and the maximum is £16,000. If your savings are under £6,000 it will be disregard. If your savings are over £16,000 you will not be entitled.

For any capital over £6,000 but under £16,000;
We count each £250 (or part of £250) and include £1 as income in the benefit assessment.

If you receive Jobseekers Allowance (Income based), Income Support or Guarantee Pension Credit then all your capital is disregarded. 

Customers aged 60+ - The lower capital limit is £10,000 and the maximum is £16,000. If your savings are under £10,000 it will be disregard. If your savings are over £16,000 you will not be entitled.

For any capital over £10,000 but under £16,000;
We count every £500 (or part of £500) and count £1 as income in benefit assessment.

If you receive Jobseekers Allowance (Income based), Income Support or Guarantee Pension Credit then all your capital is disregarded. 

Please click here for more information

Overpayment of Housing Benefit