What information and proof is needed to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit?

What you need to provide

Proof of identity
In all cases, we may need to see proof of your identity.

Proof of your National Insurance Number
You must give us your National Insurance number and your partner's National Insurance number (if you have a partner) on the claim form. You must give us proof that the National Insurance numbers belong to you and your partner.

You can do this by showing us documents such as a wage slip, benefit book or letter from the Department for Work and Pensions, or a pension slip. The document must show your name or your partner's name and the National Insurance number.

Any documents that you give us to prove the details on your claim must be originals. We cannot accept copies.

Proof of your income and savings
If you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment & Support Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee, we will check the Department for Work and Pension's records for proof of your income. If you have just moved into your home, you must tell them that you have changed your address. 

If you get Pension Credit Savings, the Pension Service will give us details of your income and savings.

If you do not get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, we will need to see proof of your income and any savings and investments you have before we can work out your benefit. Our claim form gives details of the type and amount of information we need.

Exception - If you are claiming Second Adult Rebate only we don't need proof of your income, only proof of the income of the second adults in your household. The claim form explains what proof we need.  

Proof of your non-dependant's income
As well as your income, you must also give us details of the income and savings of your 'non-dependants'. A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over who lives with you as part of your family, but is not your partner.

Examples of non-dependants are adult sons and daughters, elderly relatives or friends. We will need to see proof of your non-dependant's income and savings if they have low earnings or receive state benefits. Our claim form explains what proof we need.

Proof of your rent
If you rent your home from a private landlord, you must give us proof of your rent, for example, your tenancy agreement or your rent book. If you give us your rent book, we will also need a letter from your landlord. Our claim form gives more information about the proof we need.