Making a New Claim

Revenues and Benefits/Finance

This page tells you how to apply for Council Tax Benefit (to help you pay your Council Tax) and Housing Benefit (to help you pay your rent). We have one form for both, so you only need complete one form to apply for either or both these Benefits.

There is a link to the application form on this page.

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Who can apply for Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit?

You need to be either paying rent, or be liable to pay Council Tax, at a property. Website Benefits Calculator - simply fill out the form for an instant on-line Benefits estimate.

Making a Claim

There are two ways to claim:

• People making a claim for Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit may make their claim at the same time at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office.
• Direct to the authority by completing the council’s application form.  This can be downloaded from this page. You will need to download it, print it out, complete it and return it to us. 

The application form is quite long and we require a lot of information, so please take care in completing it correctly. If your claim form is completed incorrectly, it will cause a delay in dealing with your claim. Please remember to return your claim form in order to make a claim. We are sorry but, at the moment, the Government will not allow applications to be made by e-mail.

Documents

Fenland District Council administers the “Verification Framework” process. Verification Framework helps to cut  fraud and error and helps to make sure the correct amount of benefit is awarded.

Verification Framework advises on the kind of documentary evidence required in order to process a claim effectively. The Authority needs to see actual documents, not photocopies.

Providing Evidence

Benefit applications cannot be processed without supporting documentation to prove a claimant's identity.

Evidence of National Insurance (examples) 

• National Insurance card
• P45 or P60
• DSS notifications
• Benefit books
• Benefit award letters
• Payslips

If you cannot provide this information, we can contact the Benefits Agency to provide us with this information. However, this will cause a delay in processing your benefit application.

The Authority requires proof of identity with every new application received.

Proof of Identity:

• Benefit books
• Utility bill in your name (most recent)
• UK residence permit from the Home Office
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• National Insurance card
• Passport (current and valid)
• Medical card
• ECC Identity card.

Evidence of Capital, Savings and Investments:

• Bank/building society statements for all accounts held (most recent 2 months full bank statements)
• Post Office books
• Certificates of Premium Bonds
• National Savings Certificates
• ISAs
• Stocks and Shares
• Unit Trusts

The Authority needs to see proof of any interest or dividends you get on investments and savings.

Proof of earnings:

• 5 payslips if you are paid every week
• 3 payslips if you are paid every two weeks
• 2 payslips if you are paid every month

We can contact your employer if you do have these. However, this will cause a delay in processing your application.

Proof of Income:

• Pensions slips
• Maintenance
• Income from board and lodgings

Proof of Benefits, Allowances or Pensions:

• Award Notices
• Letters from Social Security

Do not send order books in the post. If you cannot provide this evidence, please let us know straight away.

Proof of money paid out:

• Student grants
• Maintenance payments
• Financial Agreements
• Receipts from registered child carers
• Proof of payments made into a private pension. scheme

Second Adult Rebate

This is a type of Council Tax Benefit. You can claim Second Adult Rebate if there are other people living in your home who are on a low income. You cannot claim Second Adult Rebate if you are married or have a partner.

Date of Claim

As a general rule an award starts form the Monday following the date on which a claim is received by the DWP or by the Authority.

For rules about late claims, click the Backdated Claims link in the Related Links area on this web page.

For more information email benefits@fenland.gov.uk or telephone 01354 654321.