Verification is a minimum set of standards about the information we can accept to support claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. It encourages accuracy in calculating benefit claims from the beginning, and helps to detect and prevent fraudulent claims.
How will Verification affect me?
When you make a new application for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit, you need to prove your identity. You can do this by providing proof of your National Insurance Number(s) for both you and your partner. An original document from the following is acceptable:
- P45/P60
- Printed (not hand-written) payslips
- Income Tax letter
- Notification letter from the Department for Work and Pensions
- National Insurance number card
- Benefit Books for most types of State Benefit (but not Child Benefit)
If you do not have a National Insurance number or an original document with your number on it, you need to provide us with
TWO different
original documents from either:
- Current valid Passport
- National identity card issued by a European Economic Area Member state.
- Home Office Standard Acknowledgement Letter (SAL 1 or 2)
- Full driving licence
- UK Resident Permit
- Marriage certificate
- Utility bill - paid in your name for the last quarter
- Local authority rent card or Council Tax bill
- Divorce or annulment papers
- Certificate of employment in HM Forces
- Certificate of employment in the Merchant Navy
- Printed wage slips from current employer
- Certificate of employment under the crown
- Full or short birth certificates
- Life assurance or insurance policies
- Child Benefit book
- Bank statements dated within the last four weeks
- Letter from a Solicitor, Social Worker or Probation Officer
- Medical Card
If you do not have two documents to provide from the this list, please contact us.
If you have not been able to provide us with evidence of your or your partner's National Insurance number, but you have provided the alternative documents, we will contact the Department for Work and Pensions and ask them to supply your National Insurance number.
Once your original documents have been checked, verified and copied by us, we will return them to you the same day. If you bring original documents to our reception desk, we will photocopy and return them while you wait. We will confirm that the original documents have been seen.
Home Visits and Postal Review
Home Visit
If we decide to visit you, we will, in most instances, send you a letter of appointment that lets you know the date and approximate time that our Claim Support Officer will call. If this appointment is not convenient you should contact us on our dedicated visitline (01642) 526674 as soon as you can to arrange another convenient date. Our Claim Support Officers always carry identification and will produce this upon arrival to your home. The purpose of the visit is to review your current claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit and to ensure that you are receiving the correct amount and, if we can, offer you advice on claiming other Benefits. Any changes in your circumstances will again need to be confirmed by original documentation.
Postal Review
If we decide to send you a postal review, we ask that you complete and return it within 28 days. Again, any changes in your circumstances need to be evidenced by original documentation.
It is important that you return your postal review, and keep home visit appointments. If we are unable to keep the appointment or you fail to contact us, your Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit may be suspended and/or cancelled.
