New claim
You will need to complete a claim form (pdf). This form is for housing benefit and council tax benefit. You also need to read or print the addendum about changes to the backdating rules for claims (pdf).
Please print out the form, complete it and return to:
Benefits service, PO Box 32251, Ealing, London W5 2YX or take
it to our
reception. You can also
contact us to request a form.
Please read the guidance notes (pdf) to help you complete the claim form.
Proof of identity and income and your national insurance number must be provided. All documents supporting your claim must be original. We do not accept photocopies.
If you are married or live with your partner/civil partner you should make one claim. The form should be completed and signed by one of you.
If you live in a bail hostel, residential care or nursing home you should contact Job Centre Plus, 86-92 Uxbridge Road Ealing W13 8RA, tel: (020) 8258 3000.
When to claim
You should claim straight away as any delay could mean you
lose benefit. Your benefit will usually start from the Monday after
we receive your claim.
If you know that your circumstances are about to change, eg if you are moving house, you can claim up to 13 weeks before.
If you claim in the same week (Monday to Sunday) in which you first start paying rent, your benefit will start in the same week.
You can ask for your benefit to start earlier but we will only backdate claims if you have a good reason for not claiming sooner.
Claim accuracy
The
Department of Work and
Pensions (DWP) require that the awards of housing and/or
council tax benefits that we make are correct. We will check
those claims where it is most likely that a change may have
occurred, eg where a private pension is in payment or the customer
is in receipt of earnings.
You still have a duty to notify the council of any changes to your circumstances and to complete any additional forms sent to you.
Failure to answer the questions on the form(s) may result in your benefit payments being suspended or cancelled.
Extra help with housing costs
The
discretionary housing payment scheme assists
housing and council tax benefit claimants who need extra help with
their housing costs.
You must receive housing benefit and/or council tax benefit to be eligible. Any amount awarded is at the discretion of the council and the length of payment depends on your circumstances.
The scheme does not help you with any service charges such as heating, lighting and water rates, or make up for any reduction in other social security benefits.
Checklists to speed up your claim
Delays in paying housing benefit can occur when a claim form
has not been fully completed or information requested on the form
has not been provided, eg proof of rent or income.
In order to speed up the payment of housing benefit and/or council tax benefit we aim to gather all the information needed to assess your claim straight away.
The following checklists will help you ensure that the correct information and evidence is provided at the time the claim is made.
Evidence supplied for proof of income or capital will, if it contains National Insurance details, count towards evidence of identity.
The evidence asked for must be provided for both you and your partner (if you have one). Choose the checklist which matches your circumstances.
