These rules apply for claiming any council benefit.
Sometimes, documents can be scanned in via My Account. However usually, and if you are asked for originals, you will need to bring your documents the Civic Offices for verification and photocopying. You could:
You must provide documentary proof for yourself, and, if you have one, your partner of:
If you do not provide proof, your claim cannot be processed.
You must provide specific information to prove your identity.
At least two items of evidence must be provided:
If you pay rent we need proof of your tenancy. One or more of the following are acceptable as proof of tenancy:
All evidence provided must contain all of the following information:
If you or your partner have earnings, we must see either/or:
The evidence must include:
If you do not have wage slips, you can ask your employer to complete a certificate of earnings.
If you have just started work, an employer’s letter stating your gross and net pay will be enough, until you get the required wage slips. When you get them, you must send them in.
You must provide evidence of all your benefits. This should be your letter of entitlement, and if you have your benefit paid into a bank account, we can use the bank statement too.
You must provide evidence of all capital. This includes all bank or building society accounts you have, as well as other investments like shares.
Original bank and building society statements that show debit and credit entries for a two-month period before the application was made must be provided. A slip showing the outstanding balance is not acceptable.
Original documents showing proof of ownership of other investments such as share certificates, dividend statements, bonds, unit trust stocks and shares, must also be provided.
If you own a property apart from the one in which you live, you will need to provide information about the property’s value. You should also provide details of outstanding mortgages or loans secured on it.
Evidence of all income must be provided.
Deductions will be made from your entitlement if you have other adults including family members living with you unless you:
If they have a high income and you would expect to have the maximum deduction made, you do not need to provide their income details. Just indicate it on the form.
However, if you want a lower rate of deduction, you will need to give the gross income details for all non-dependants in your household. Original documents showing their income are required. This not only includes the wages they receive but also other income such as working tax credit, and interest on any savings. The previous sections explain what evidence/information must be provided.
Please note that only original documents can be provided as proof. Photocopies are not acceptable. Your documents will be photocopied for free in any library or at the Civic Offices.
A non-dependant is anyone aged 18 or over who lives in your home or uses your home as their main residence on a non-commercial basis. They do not have to be a family member.
If you have a non-dependant living with you, your benefit may be reduced.
We will need to see proof of your non-dependant’s income such as:
You must tell us if someone moves into or out of your home, as this may affect your benefits.
If you have a non-dependant whose income increases or decreases you must let us know.
It may raise or lower the deduction we must make. Even if your non-dependant is receiving state benefits of any kind, we will need to know.
The government sets a weekly deduction for non-dependants, depending on their gross income. The greater their income the larger the deduction from your benefit.
No deduction is made if:
