Housing benefit – documents we must have
Every five to six years, the calendar makes it so we have 53 Mondays instead of the usual 52. This coming financial year, 2024 / 2025, is one of those special years.
If you get Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions will only pay for 52 weeks of your rent in a year. In a 53 week financial year, this means there will be one week of rent that will not be covered by Universal Credit.
Find out what we're doing to help and what to do if you're affected and already struggling with the cost of living.
1. Proof of identity
Two pieces of identification, such as:
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passport
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birth certificate
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national insurance card
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driving licence
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letter from a utility company showing your name and address
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current wage slips
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bank statement
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benefit entitlement letter.
2. Proof of your rent
Your tenancy agreement signed by you and your landlord, or a statement signed by your landlord confirming the details of your tenancy.
The statement should show the amount of rent you have to pay and any charges that are included (such as heating costs or meals).
3. Proof of earned income or benefits
Income
Recent and consecutive pay slips:
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five if you are paid weekly
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three if you are paid fortnightly
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two if you are paid monthly.
Benefits
Your award letter, or other official notification, showing your name, address, date and the amount of the award.
4. Proof of savings
Bank statements (last two months), building society passbooks, post office books, share certificates, premium bonds and national savings certificates.