Acceptable Evidence

If you need to provide any proof or evidence to go with your claim, please refer to the following list of acceptable documents. If you are unable to supply the items asked for, please contact the Benefits Service, immediately.

Please supply ORIGINAL documents only. Photocopies and faxes are NOT acceptable.

Identity

Passport
Certificate of Identity (Home Office)
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Divorce papers
Utility bills
National Insurance Number Card
Full / Provisional Driving Licence
EC / EEA Identity Card
UK Work Permit
Medical Card

Capital

If your capital is under £5,500 please fill in a capital declaration form (PDF)
Last two months full statements for all bank / building society / Post Office accounts held
Savings books with an up-to-date balance
Stock and Share Certificates
Unit Trust Certificates
Premium Bonds
National Saving Certificates / Stamps
ISA, PEP, TESSA statements
Bond Certificates

Rent

Current Tenancy Agreement
Housing Association rent increase letter (up to one year old)

Current letter or confirmation of rent form (PDF) from the person who you pay your rent to (your agent / landlord)

Proof of rent letters MUST include:

The tenant’s name and address (including any room or flat number - if the tenant rents a room but does not have a room number, give the exact location of the room in the building)
The landlord’s full name and address
Where there is an agent, the agent’s full name and address, and the landlord’s full name.
The full rent charged, and how often it is due, for example weekly, 4-weekly, monthly and so on
The date the tenancy started and the date the tenant moved in (if they are different)
Details of all services included in the rental charge, such as heating, lighting, water, meals and so on
The landlord’s / agent’s signature

Income

Current pension pay slips / award letters
Current State benefit entitlement letters
Certificate of earnings (PDF) / consecutive printed pay slips (5 weekly, 2 monthly or
3 fortnightly)
Latest self-employed accounts / A fully completed self-employed form (PDF)with supporting documents, for example receipts for large purchases, business bank account statements and so on.
The Council’s form for declaration of State benefits (PDF)completed, stamped and signed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Child Support Agency award letter / letter from the person paying the maintenance
Student bursary / grant award notice together with a letter from the college stating the term dates
Student loan award notice