What information is needed to support a housing benefit claim?

Original documents (not photo copies) for proof of:

• National Insurance Number and identity
• All income and savings of all household members
• Tenancy agreement and / or rent book, or other proof of rent.
  

Examples of the type of information we require:

1. Proof of National Insurance Number and Identity

• Benefit book
• Birth certificate
• Bus pass or travel card, etc
• Driving Licence
• ID card with photo
• Marriage certificate
• NINO ID card or medical card
• Letter from tax office or other official body (e.g. Department for Worksand Pensions, solicitor, social worker, probation officer , home office)
• Passport
• Tenancy agreement / rent book
• Up to date utility bills in your tenants name
• Wage slips
• P45 / P60
• UK residence permit

Note: We need to see at least two documents for each person, and at least one of those documents must show the National Insurance Number.

2. Proof of Income

Earnings:

If your tenants work we will need their last 5 payslips, if they are paid weekly. Their last 3 payslips if they are paid 2 weekly. Their last 2 payslips if they are paid monthly. If they do not have these, they will need to ask us for an income certificate for their employer(s) to complete.

The proof must include;

• The name and address of their employer
• The number of hours worked and the period covered
• Their income before deductions in the year to date and pay period
• The income tax deducted for the year to date and pay period
• National insurance deducted for the year to date and pay period
• Pension or superannuation payments
• Details of any statutory sick pay or maternity pay
• How they are paid, for example by cheque, cash, or into a bank account

If your tenant or their partner are self employed they must let us see their most recent accounts. If they cannot provide these, or they have recently become self employed, they will need to contact us for more information.

Benefit and Other Income:

• Latest payment slip
• Benefit book showing payment without deductions
• Up to date award notice from the Benefits Agency
• Student award notice
• A current bank statement which shows the payment of Benefit or income received without any deductions
• Working tax credit, Child Tax Credit and Pension Credits

3. Proof of Savings and Investments

• The last two full months bank statements for all accounts
• Bank, building society and post office pass books, which should be up to date
• National savings certificates,
• Up to date value of ISA's, stocks, shares and unit trusts
• Up to date original proof for all other investments

4. Proof of Rent

• Rent book
• Up to date Tenancy agreement
• Letter from your landlord

Proof of rent must include:

• The name and address of the tenant
• The date the tenancy started and how long it will last
• The sort of tenancy (e.g., shorthold assured)
• How much the rent is, what period it covers
• What is included (e.g. water rates, meals, etc) and the amount charged for each service
• The landlords FULL name and address. Where an agent is used, the agents full name and address and also the landlords full name

If the proof your tenant has does not include all this information, they will need to ask us for a 'proof of rent form' for you to complete.

All proof(s) and supporting documentation should be supplied by your tenant within one month of the claim being made, or we may not be able to calculate any entitlement. If we do not receive all the information we need, we will write to your tenant advising them that no further consideration will be given to their claim. If they still want to claim Benefit they will need to complete a new claim form and supply all the supporting information. Benefit will normally only be considered from the Monday following the receipt of this new claim form.

What information do I need to provide as a landlord?

You must tell us if your tenant has a change in circumstances that could affect their entitlement to Housing Benefit. This includes information about your tenant abandoning, vacating or ending their tenancy.

Last updated 22/12/2011