Advice for people who need to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Evidence you will require to support your claim for Benefit or change of circumstances.

In all cases original documentation must be provided


Evidence of Identity

If the customer is in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance Income based, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) Income Related or Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit then no evidence of identity is required.

In all other cases two pieces of identification are required for the claimant and partner if there is one.

Where there is one, we prefer UK Passport, Birth certificate, or Driving Licence.

We may then accept

• Benefit or Tax Credit award letter
• Marriage Certificate / Divorce or annulment papers
• Medical Card
• UK residence permit
• European Union Identity Card
• Letter from Solicitor / Social Worker/ Probation Officer
• Bank Statement (dated within 4 weeks of claim)
• Utility Bill (paid and for quarter prior to date of claim) (e.g. Gas Water Electric)
• Wage slips from current employer

Evidence of Rent

Tenancy Agreement This must show:

• rent amount and period,
• what is included in rent charge,
• start date,
• duration,
• name and address of landlord / agent and customer and signed by landlord or customer.

If no tenancy agreement then a signed letter from the landlord to confirm the above details.


Evidence of National Insurance Number

If the customer is in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance Income based, ESA Income Related or Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit then evidence of National Insurance numbers is not required.

Otherwise evidence will be required for both customer and partner if applicable:

• DWP or Her Majesty’s Revenues & Customs (HMRC) letter
• National Insurance card
• P45 or P60
• Wage slip
• Tax credit award letter
• Benefit payments book.

Evidence of Residency.

Utility Bill


Evidence of Income and Savings.

If the customer is in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance Income based, ESA Income Related or Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit then no evidence of income and savings are required.

Bank accounts / Building Society accounts / Post Office accounts
Two months consecutive recent bank statements for each account showing entries, the account number and customer’s name.

Other capital

Evidence of all other capital eg:

• National Savings Certificates
• Premium Bonds
• Stocks or Shares certificates
• Unit Trusts
• Isa’s and Tessa’s.
• This is not an exhaustive list.

Wage Slips

5 weekly / 3 fortnightly or 2 monthly consecutive payslips which should show the name of employee and employer
NI number and contributions paid
Income tax
Hours worked
Deductions made

If unavailable or just starting work then employers certificate should be completed.


Other Income

Evidence of all other income


Other benefits

• Tax Credits
• Private or occupational pensions
• Income from Board or Lodgings
• Student grants
• Charity payments
• Maintenance
• This is not an exhaustive list.

Non Dependants income

We will need to verify non-dependants income to the same standard as the customers / partners income.


Further advice


Please contact us for further advice or guidance – telephone 01502 523535 or e-mail benefits@waveney.co.uk  

You may wish to visit us at our Customer Service Centre, Marina, The Marina, Lowestoft or at our Council offices at Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth & Southwold.

Benefits Service
Waveney District Council
P O Box 97
Lowestoft
NR32 1HD