New claim

You will need to complete a claim form (pdf).  This form is for housing benefit and council tax benefit.  

Please print out the form, complete it and return to:
Benefits service, PO Box 32251, Ealing, London W5 5XA or take it to our reception. You can also contact us to request a 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.