Claim housing benefit
Housing benefit is available to people on low income who are
renting their homes to help them afford to pay the rent.
Applying for housing benefit
You can apply for housing benefit by going to one of our seven
Customer Service Centres across the borough.
Fast track
If you visit any Customer Service Centre with all of the
information necessary your claim can be fast-tracked and your
claim will be assessed within 3 working days.
Appointment
If you do not have all the information you need, you
can book an assessment appointment by visiting one of the
customer service centres. The appointment will be
in the Municipal Offices in Rochdale. You will be advised what
information you need to bring to complete your claim.
Appointments will be provided within 5 working days.
Application form
If you are unable to gather your evidence in advance or attend
an appointment you can claim using an application form. Return the
claim to a Customer Service Centre or through the post to have your
claim assessed.
Information you need to provide
Information needed to complete your application:
-
Identity and National Insurance Number
- If you are working you need two pieces of
identification, like your passport, birth
certificate, recent utility bill, and you also need proof of
your National Insurance Number
- If you get state benefits you need your
DWP
award letter and proof of your National
Insurance Number
- For any children, you need proof of the child
benefit you get
- For other adults resident you need proof of their
National Insurance Number
-
Proof of income
- If you are working you need 5 weekly or 2 monthly
consecutive wage slips or
a certificate of earnings stamped by your
employer
- If you get benefits you need a
DWP
award letter
or current bank statement showing payments of
benefit received by direct payment
- If you are a student you need all proof of student
loan and grants received
- If you are self employed you need 12 months profit
and loss accounts
- For all adults aged over 18 living in the property you
need proof of income as described
above
-
Proof of other income and expenditure
- If you get tax credits, you need
your most recent award letter
- You need proof of any childcare costs
from a registered childminder
- If you get maintenance payments, you need
a letter from the person making maintenance payment
confirming amount and method of payment
- You need written confirmation of the amount and frequency of
rent payable from any boarder or subtenant
- You need a letter from the provider detailing amount and
frequency of any private pension you
receive
-
Proof of capital
- You need the last two month's statements for all bank
accounts held
- You need an updated savings account book for building
society accounts
- You need details of any properties owned