What information do we need with your claim?
Before we can award benefit, we must see proof of things you
tell us about in your form. We must see original documents
and not copies. Please do not send valuable items through
the post, if you bring them into the Contact Centre we can take the
details and give them straight back to you with a receipt to say we
have seen them.
If you get Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance or
Pension Credit we need to see proof of:
- a National Insurance Number (NINO) for you, and your partner if
you have one, such as a National Insurance number card, pay slips
or letters from DWP or the tax office.
- the benefit you receive such as current award notices or
letters from DWP telling you how much you get.
- your identity such as current passport or full driving licence
- see full identity list below.
- amount of rent if you are claiming Housing Benefit, such as
tenancy agreement or a Verification of Rent form (below)
- Non-dependant income if applicable - Non dependants earnings
form (below)
If you are on a low income, we need to see proof of
- a National Insurance Number (NINO) for you, and your partner if
you have one, such as a National Insurance number card, pay slips
or letters from DWP or the tax office.
- Wages - your last 5 weekly, 3 fortnightly or 2 monthly pay
slips, they must follow on from one another. If you have not got
your pay slips you can get your employer to complete an earnings
certificate (below).
- If you are self employed we need to see your accounts.
- Any welfare benefit, for example, tax credits, child benefit,
state retirement pension
- Capital, savings and investments and all your Bank, Post Office
and Building Society accounts
- your identity such as a current passport or full driving
licence - see full identity list below.
- amount of rent if you are claiming Housing Benefit, such as
tenancy agreement or a Verification of Rent form (PDF) which can be
printed or is available from the Benefits office
- Non-dependant income if applicable - Non dependants earnings
form (below)
- Any other income, such as maintenance received.
Proof of Identity
When you send in your Benefit claim you must provide at least
two original documents (not photocopies) from the lists below to
prove your identity, one of which must be from List A.
If you have a partner you must also provide one of the documents
from List A in his or her name.
List A
- Benefit payment book showing National Insurance Number
(NINO).
- Wage slips from current employer.
- National Insurance Number (NINO) card - RD3
- P45
- P60
- Letter from DSS or Inland Revenue showing National Insurance
Number.
- Bank statement of self employed persons paying class 2
contributions by Direct Debit.
List B
- Bank statement (dated within the last 4 weeks of the
claim)
- Birth certificates (full or short)
- Certificate of employment in HM forces
- Certificate of employment in the Merchant Navy
- Divorce/annulment papers
- Driving Licence (full NOT provisional)
- Gas, water, electric or BT phone bill paid and receipted for
the last quarter
- Letter from solicitor, social worker or probation officer
- Life assurance/insurance policies
- Marriage certificate
- Medical card
- Passport (current and valid)
- UK residence Permit
- Home Office Standard Acknowledgement Letter (SAL1 or 2)
- Identity card issued by an EC/EEA member state
Please note that some birth and marriage certificates carry
disclaimers on the bottom stating they cannot be used for ID - we
regret we cannot accept these.