Apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

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• Identity

  We need to see proof of identity for both you and your partner (if you have one).

  The document should include your name and date of birth. This could be a:

  • passport
  • driving licence
  • birth or marriage certificate.

  Other forms of identification are acceptable. But we may ask you to provide more than one document to satisfy our checks.

• National Insurance number

  We need to see proof of your National Insurance number, and that of your partner (if you have one). We cannot process your application without it.

  You can find your National Insurance number on:

  • payslips
  • benefit letters from the Department for Work and Pensions or
  • tax documents (such as a P60 or P45).
    
• Rent

  This would usually be a tenancy or licence agreement that shows:

  • the address of the property
  • the start date of the tenancy, and
  • the amount you are charged.

  If you do not have a tenancy or licence agreement, we will need to contact your landlord to verify your rent.

• Income

  We need to see proof of income for all members of the household over the age of 18. We also need proof of any disability benefits for children aged under 18.

  The Department for Work and Pensions provides us with access to check most benefits, including:

  • Universal Credit
  • Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Tax Credits
  • State Pension
  • Pension Credit.

  Sometimes we may ask you for more proof to decide your claim.

  If you are working

  We will need to see your payslips for the past two months if you are paid monthly, or five weeks if you are paid weekly.

  If you are self-employed

  We will need to see your last full year of audited accounts. Alternatively, you can complete a self-employed profit and loss form so that we can estimate your weekly income. To request this form, email customer.services@dacorum.gov.uk.

  If you receive a private pension or an annuity

  We will need to see a pension advice slip showing:

  • the amount you get
  • how often you get it.

  We cannot use bank statements as proof of income.

• Capital

  This is any money held in:

  • bank accounts
  • savings accounts
  • Premium Bonds
  • shares
  • property.

  If you are of working age and your total capital is less than £6,000, we will not need to see any proof.

  If you are of State Pension age and your total capital is less than £10,000, we will not need to see any proof.

  If your total capital is above these amounts, you will need to show us:

  • bank statements for all accounts
  • proof of your Premium Bond holding
  • share certificates
  • the current value of any property (not including the home you live in).
• Childcare expenses

  If you pay for childcare, you will need to provide invoices from the childcare provider. This will need to show how much the childcare costs.

  The childcare has to be provided by a registered provider, such as a school breakfast club or childminder. You will also need to provide their Ofsted registration number.