There are various types of documents you need to provide with your application for benefit. If you do not have all the requested proofs, do not delay in making your application. Provide the proofs you have available and any outstanding proofs can be provided as soon as they become available.
You must provide the original documents as photocopies are not acceptable.
If you do not want to post your documents or leave them at the council, staff at Gateway (all claim types) or at the Local Housing Offices (council tenants only) are able to photocopy and verify your documents to say that they have seen the original document.
There are a number of documents that we need to see before we can pay your benefit claim.
National Insurance number
We need to see one item of proof of your (and your partner’s, if you have one) National Insurance number.
Proof of a National Insurance number can be any of the documents listed below:
• National Insurance number card
• P45 or P60
• Letter from the Inland Revenue about Income Tax or tax code
• Tax Credit award notice.
• A Department for Work and Pensions benefit award letter that includes your National Insurance Number (if the letter is handwritten it will need to have an official Department for Work and Pensions stamp).
• Bank statement showing payments by direct debit for Class 2 National Insurance contributions or receipt of a Department for Work and Pensions benefit for example Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance
• Payslip or salary statement or works pension statement (a completed employer’s certificate of earnings can be accepted provided it shows your National Insurance number
Identity
We need to see two items of proof of your (and your partner’s, if you have one) identity.
Proof of identity can be any of the documents listed below:
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate or divorce, separation, or annulment papers (in your current name). (If your name has changed following marriage, send your marriage certificate as well).
• Passport (current and valid) or National Identity card
• TV Licence
• Department for Work and Pensions benefit award letter
• Medical card
• Gas, electricity, phone, water rates bill (but not a mobile phone bill) for the last quarter
• Driving licence - full or provisional
• Tax Credit award letter
• Bank statement
• Certificate of employment in HM Forces or Merchant Navy
• Letter from solicitor, social worker or probation officer
• Home Office standard acknowledgement letter (SAL1 or SAL2)
• Residence Permit or Aliens Registration Certificate or Immigration and Nationality Directorate Travel Document or Worker’s Registration Certificate.
• Payslip in your name
Rent (Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance)
The rent proof we require depends on the type of tenancy you have.
If your tenancy is with a housing association you can send us your tenancy agreement (all pages), your rent book or a letter from the housing association.
If you rent from a private landlord or a company that is not a housing association, you can send us your tenancy agreement (all pages), your rent book or a letter from the landlord. If you are unable to provide any of these documents, a form is available for your landlord to complete.
If you are a boarder or live in a hostel, you can send us your rent book or a letter from your landlord.
If you are a council tenant, you do not need to send in your rent card as we are able to obtain details of your rent from our computer system.
The document you provide as proof of your rent must show the following details:
• Your name and address in full
• Your landlord's name and address in full
• Amount of rent
• Frequency of payment
• Amount of any arrears
• Date tenancy commenced
Income and savings
We need to see proof of all your and your partner's income and savings.
| Income / Savings | Proof needed: |
| Wages | Monthly paid - last two pay slips.
Fortnightly paid - last three payslips.
Weekly paid - last five payslips.
If pay slips are unavailable- a certificate of earnings completed by your employer. |
| Self-employed | Accounts for the last 12 months, you may need to complete a Self-employed questionnaire. If your business has been running for less than a year, provide all proofs that are available. |
| Benefits such as Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Child Benefit, State Pension, Tax Credits, Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit etc | All pages of the award letter. |
| Private / works pension | The last two payment slips or bank statements for last two months. |
| Other income - for example child support and charity payments received | Original documents showing these. |
| For those of working age with capital between £6000 and £16000 | The last two months bank/building society statements, up-to-date paying-in books, share certificates, National Savings Certificates etc |
| For those of pensionable age or over with capital between £10000 and £16000 | The last two months bank/building society statements, up-to-date paying-in books, share certificates, National Savings Certificates etc |
Other people who live with you
Anyone aged over 18 living with you such as an adult son or daughter will be considered to be a non-dependant for whom a non-dependant charge will apply. This will reduce any benefit entitlement. The level of non-dependant charge is determined by the level of your non-dependant’s income. Proof of non-dependant income and savings is required, so that the correct non-dependant charge can be calculated. Please provide the same documents as listed above for proof of their income and savings.
Southampton City Council
