Benefits – Information Needed for Claims to be Assessed

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• Claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefits
• Benefits – Information Needed for Claims to be Assessed

The Verification Framework is a government initiative implemented by the Council meant to detect and prevent fraudulent claims, set a minimum standard of evidence needed for a claim to be assessed and encourage accuracy in calculating claims from the start of a claim.

This means that the Council must see original documents, photocopies are not accepted. The documents are then checked, copied and certified by officers trained in detecting fraudulent documents. The application form must be fully completed and all questions answered.  

All claimants must provide 2 pieces of identification and proof of their National Insurance number. The same must be provided for a partner if applicable, and any other adults living in the home.

The following is a guide to the information needed to assess a claim for benefit. We may be unable to pay benefit if this is not provided.

• Proof of Identity
  Such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank/building society statement, passport, medical card, driving licence, UK residence permit, EEC identity card or recent gas or electricity bill.
• Proof of National Insurance Number
  Payslips, benefit order books, NI number card, private pension slips, Tax Credit award notice
• Proof of capital, savings and investments
  Such as all your bank, building society or post office books, or certificates for premium bonds, National Savings Certificates, ISAs, stocks, shares and unit trusts.
• Proof of earnings
  This means your last 5 payslips if you are paid every week, your last 3 payslips if you are paid every two weeks, or your last 2 payslips if you are paid every month. If you do not have these, please contact us. If you or your partner are self-employed, we need to see your accounts for the last financial year or, if you have been trading for less than 6 months, a summary of your trading records so far.
• Proof of other income
  Such as pension slips from a former employer, Tax Credits, a letter from the court showing how much maintenance you are getting. We need to see proof of any money people pay you for board and lodgings.
• Proof of benefits, allowances or pensions
  Such as award notices or letters from social security confirming how much you get. If you do not have proof let us know straight away. Please do not send order books through the post.
• Proof of private rent or tenancy
  Such as rent book, rent receipts, a tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord.
• Proof of other money paid out
  Receipts from registered childminders, playgroups or after school clubs or proof of payments to a private pension scheme