Housing Benefit Claimants

Transcription

1 Housing Benefit Claimants Important Information HOUSING SERVICES WE CAN TRANSLATE TENANT APPROVED NAC HOUSING SERVICES

2 If you want your claim assessed quickly please ensure you provide all the proofs required.

3 If you are on a low income you may qualify for full or partial Housing Benefit. This benefit will reduce your fortnightly rental charge. However there are strict qualifi cations for this benefi t and it is essential anyone claiming this benefi t provides proof of their National Insurance Number and identity as well as proof of their actual income. Failure to provide this proof will result in no housing benefi t being paid to you and you being liable for the full fortnightly rent charge applied to your rent account. All claimants and their partner s must provide proof of the following: Identity National Insurance Number Savings and capital assets All income Income of any other persons living in the household Please note that original documents are required. Remember You have only one calendar month from the date you apply to provide all the proof required. If you do not provide the information requested then your claim would be made ineligible and no Housing Benefi t will be paid. This will mean that we will charge you full rent.

4 Accepted proof Proof of Identity You must submit a minimum of two items: Passport (current and valid) Birth Certifi cate Marriage Certifi cate Bank Statement Medical Card Tax Certifi cate Wage Slips from a recent employer Driving Licence Proof of National Insurance Number Benefi t books or benefi t award letter Wage slips P45/P60 Tax Certifi cate/ HMRC Correspondence RD3 National Insurance number card Letters from Department for Works and Pensions or DSS Bank statement of self-employed (class 2) Please Note: You must submit a minimum of two items as proof of your identity.

5 If you or your partner are in receipt of state benefits This includes: Income Support/ Jobseekers Allowance; Incapacity Benefit; State Pension; Widows Pension; War Pension; Carer s Allowance; Disability Living Allowance(Gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payments); Attendance Allowance; Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; Pension Credit. *Please note that some of these benefits are being replaced by Universal Credit. You must supply the award letter or benefit payment book. If you or your partner are working or get sick pay from your employer You must provide your last 5 payslips if you get paid weekly, the last 3 if you get paid fortnightly and your last 2 payslips if you get paid monthly. If you have children under 18 then proof of the following must be provided Child Benefit Payment book or award letter. Any maintenance payments received in the form of a signed letter from the person making the payments or a signed letter from the Child Support Agency. If you have child care costs we need to see proof that the childminder is registered and proof of payment e.g. receipts or a letter from the child carer. Proof of income for anyone else in the household who you do not get child benefit for Most recent payslip if working. Benefit award letter if getting a state benefit. Student grant award letter if a student. Any other income.

6 Please Note: Always get a receipt for your Housing Benefit claim form from your local Housing Office. If you are a student You must supply your grant/bursary award letter. Documentary evidence of parental contributions and student grant/loan must also be provided. If you are self employed Submit profi t & loss account if not available speak to a member of staff at the Benefi ts Service for advice on what proof is required based on your occupation and circumstances. Proof of savings and capital assets Your latest bank or building society statement; Passbooks; Share Certifi cates; National Savings Certifi cates. You must provide proof of all your capital items. If your benefi ts, wages or pension is paid into a bank/building society account then you need to provide the latest statement showing the balance on the account. Don t forget Always get a receipt for your housing benefi t claim form from your local housing offi ce. Pay your rent in full until you get a housing benefi t award letter informing you if you are eligible for housing benefi t. If you have problems paying the full rent then please inform a member of staff at your local housing offi ce. You must let them know you have applied for housing benefi t.

7 If you are finding it difficult covering the difference between your rent payments and Housing Benefits you can apply for DHP.

8 Pay your rent in full until you get a Housing Benefit award letter informing you if you are eligible. What if the amount of benefit I m entitled to isn t enough? If the amount of Housing Benefi t that you re entitled to isn t enough to pay your rent you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Am I entitled to DHP? If you get Housing Benefi t and this does not cover the full cost of your rent, you can apply for DHP if you are fi nding it diffi cult to pay the difference. However, the Benefi ts Service must be satisfi ed that you need more assistance to help pay your housing costs.

9 In deciding whether someone should receive DHP, the Benefits Service will look at: Your income Any savings that you or a partner have Whether you have anyone living with you that can contribute to housing costs Any loans or debt you have to pay Any special circumstances you or your family members have e.g. disability Whether you can rearrange your finance or accommodation arrangements in order to pay your rent more easily. How do I apply for Housing Benefit or Discretionary Housing Payment? Applications can be made online on North Ayrshire Council s website ( or you can request an application from your Local Housing Office or by telephoning Benefit Service If you need help filling in your Housing Benefit Application form you can contact them: In person - Customer Service Centre, Bridgegate House, Irvine By phone By letter - North Ayrshire Council Financial Services, PO Box 7966, Bridgegate House Irvine, KA12 8EG By - [email protected]

10 Useful contact numbers Area housing offices Ardrossan Housing Office / [email protected] Beith and Dalry Housing Office / [email protected] Irvine Housing Office / [email protected] Kilbirnie Housing Office / [email protected] Kilwinning Housing Office / [email protected] Largs Housing Office / [email protected] Saltcoats Housing Office / [email protected] Stevenston Housing Office / [email protected]

11 Social Services Offices Irvine Area Three Towns Area Garnock Valley Area North Coast Area Money Matters Helpline Community Housing Advocacy Project National Debt Line North Ayrshire Citizens Advice Services Irvine / Kilbirnie / Largs / Saltcoats / The Benefits Service Job Centre Plus

12 Contact North Ayrshire Council on This document is available in other formats such as audio tape, CD, Braille and in large print. It can also be made available in other languages on request.