What you'll need to provide
Any documents that you need to submit in support of your claim must be original documents. Photocopies are not acceptable.
If you do not send in all the information needed at the same time as your claim, this will delay the assessment of your claim.
If you have your supporting documents ready, you can start your application to claim for:
If you have any questions about the documents you need
The visiting officer can check or collect any documents required in connection with your Benefit claim or for Council Tax Reduction purposes.
Contact your area's Benefits Team to find out more about the visiting service
Evidence of identity
This could be any of the following:
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- passport
- National Insurance number card or letter
- medical card
- driving licence
- UK residence permit
- European Economic Community (EEC) identity card
- recent gas or electricity bill
We may need to see several of these documents for each person.
Evidence of your address
This could be any of the following:
- a recent gas bill
- an electricity bill
- a TV licence
Evidence of National Insurance number
This could be any of the following:
- your National Insurance number card or letter
- payslips
- letters from the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) or HM Revenues and Customs
Evidence of capital, savings and investments
This could be any of the following:
- all your bank, building society, post office or Credit Union account books
- full bank statements for all accounts
- certificates for premium bonds
- National Savings Certificates
- ISAs
- stocks
- shares
- unit trusts
- details of any other property you own other than the house you live in
We need to see evidence of any interest or dividends you, or any other adults in your household get on investments and savings. The evidence you send must show details for at least the last two months.
Evidence of earnings
You will need to provide evidence of your earnings and evidence for any other adults living in your home.
You'll need provide your last five weekly payslips, your last three fortnightly payslips or your last two monthly payslips
We can provide proof of earnings slip if you do not have these payslips.
Proof of earning slip form
If you or your partner are self-employed
We need to see your accounts for the last financial year.
If you do not have up to date accounts ask for an estimate of self-employed earnings form.
If you have been trading for less than six months
You will need to provide a summary of your trading records so far.
Evidence of other income
You must provide one of the following:
- pension slips from a former employer
- a letter from the court showing how much maintenance you are getting
We need to see evidence of any money people pay you for board and lodgings.
We also need this for any other adults living in your home.
Evidence of benefits, allowances, Tax Credits or pensions
This could be any of the following:
- current award notices
- letters from the Department for Work and Pensions
- HM Revenue and Customs confirming how much you get
If you do not have evidence, let us know straight away.
We also need this for any other adults living in your home.
Evidence of private rent and tenancy
You must provide one of the following:
- rent book
- rent receipts
- a recent tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord
Letter from your landlord
You must provide one of the following:
- show your full name and address
- your landlord’s full name and address
- the tenancy start date
- the full rent charged
- a breakdown of any services included in the rent
If you landlord doesn't provide you with a written tenancy agreement or a rent book, they will need to fill in the proof of rent form.
Evidence of other money paid out
You must provide one of the following:
- letters about student grants or maintenance agreements
- receipts from registered child carers
- evidence of any payment into a private or employer’s pension