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To enable us to calculate benefit you must provide proof of the following: NB: In accordance with the verification framework, original documents only can be accepted
If you are claiming benefit for the first time we will need to see proof of your own and any partner's identification. Acceptable proof can be as follows:
- Passport - current and valid
- Driving Licence.
- Bank Statement (covering at least 2 months)
- Recent Utility Bill - paid
- Letter from solicitor/social worker/probation officer/doctor/inland revenue
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce Papers
- Medical Card
- Home Office Letter
- UK residence permit
Acceptable proof of your national insurance number can be as follows:
- Various benefit books including State retirement pension, Income support but excluding child benefit 4/8 weeks
- Letters from DWP (money you get now)
- Wage slips
- Occupational pension slip
- P45/P60 - current employment year only
- Tax letters or tax code notices
- National insurance numbers
Earnings/Statutory Sick Pay/Statutory Maternity Pay
For benefits applications we require the following
If payslips are not available or you have only just started work, you can request a Certificate of Earnings Form HB5 be sent to you for your employer to complete or download the following Certificate of Earnings Form (HB5) (109kb, PDF)
The payslips or earnings form must show:
- The employer's name and address
- The number of hours worked and the period covered
- Gross Income for the year to date
- Gross Income for the period covered
- Income Tax deducted for the year to date
- Income Tax deducted for the period covered
- National Insurance contributions deducted for the year to date
- National Insurance contributions deducted for the period covered
- Any Pension contributions
- The method of payment. For example, cash, cheque or directly into a bank account
The self employed can claim housing and council tax benefit/second adult rebate in the same way as employees. When working out your benefit we need to calculate the weekly income (deducting tax and National Insurance as appropriate) you receive from your business. You will have to complete a Self Employed Earnings and Expenses Form (HB28) (130kb, PDF) and provide supporting information, this may include:
- Day books.
- Invoices and receipts for all business related income and expenses (within a specified period ).
- Established businesses may be able to provide Certified Accounts instead of the above.
- Pension Contributions.
You can request a Self employed Earnings and Expenses Form.
Some businesses may have to provide further details unique to their business.
What if you have a new business?
New businesses which are about to start or have been trading for less than one year will be asked to provide either:
- An earnings projection form or
- Income and expenses details from the start of your business to date.
Childminders
Business expenses are not deducted from the income of self employed childminders. Two thirds of a child minder's income is disregarded when working out benefit entitlement, this allows for payment of income tax, national insurance and half of any applicable pension payments made.
Details of income from any other source, a partners income and savings must also be declared when making a claim for benefit.
One of the following will be acceptable as proof of state benefits received:
- Current award notification detailing the current rates of benefit.
- Current benefit payment order book, which must contain un-cashed orders.
- Current bank statement showing direct payments of benefit.
Please note, we will not accept a Job Seeker's Allowance signing-on book as an acceptable proof of income.
Proof of other income can be given in one of several ways:
- Recent payment advice slip, for example, to confirm an occupational pension
- Current bank statements showing the amount being paid, how often and by whom
- Award notification letter, for example, a Child Support Agency notification or court order notice
- Letter from the source of the income confirming the amount being paid and how often, for example, to confirm maintenance payments
You will need to provide evidence of any dependant's Child Benefit in one of the following ways:
- Child Benefit order book, which must contain un-cashed orders
- Child Benefit award notice issued annually in April
- Current bank statement showing direct payment of Child Benefit
If you pay child care charges for children in your household you need to complete one of our childcare details forms (HB3).
Proof of a non-dependant's income and capital must be provided before we can make the correct deduction from their benefit claim. If this information is not supplied, the highest non-dependant deduction will be made from benefit.
A non-dependant is any person aged 18 years or over who lives with you, but does not pay rent on a commercial basis. This means, for example, an adult son or daughter, or elderly relative. The Government scheme assumes they contribute to your household costs, whether they do or not. Your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit may be reduced for each non-dependant who lives with you. The level of reduction reflects the non-dependant's income.
Private tenants
For private tenancies we require either:
- A current signed tenancy agreement
- Your rent book
- Verification of Tenancy Form HB 33 completed by your landlord
Either print a Verification of Tenancy Form (HB33) (35kb, PDF) and complete or request for one to be sent to you.
Council tenants
If you are renting a council property we do not require proof from you as we are able to obtain that information.
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