How do I claim?

It is important that you fill in the form and send it to us. straight away to avoid losing benefit. We will need evidence in support of your claim. Providing it all with the form will help us pay you benefit more quickly.

Please do not delay returning your application form, even if all the evidence is not available.

If you need help or assistance completing the application form, please contact us.

A claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit maybe made via the Department for Work and Pensions whenever a claimant is making a claim for Job Seekers Allowance (JSA),  Employment support Allowance (ESA) Incapacity Benefit (IB), Income Support (IS) or Pension Credit (PC).

Start date of claim.

Housing and, or council tax benefit normally starts the Monday following the date we receive your claim. It is important that you send in your claim straight away. You can ask for your claim to start from an earlier date, this is known as backdating.

Guidance for completing forms.

A benefit application form must be fully completed or it will be returned to you, which in turn delays the payment of any benefit entitlement. The application forms explain how it should be completed. You must answer all the questions. The customer and any partner should sign the application form.

Which form should I complete?

If claiming benefit with in the South Somerset District Council area please complete the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Application Form .  You may download this form or telephone 01935 462462 to request a application to be sent through the post.  You may also pick up an application at any of our offices.

If you are currently in receipt of housing and, or council tax benefit and are moving within the South Somerset District Council area you should complete the change of address form

Evidence to support a claim.

All evidence required is detailed in the application form under the relevant sections.

You will need to provide two forms of identity; one to show the national insurance number and one to show the address for the customer and any partner.

• Proof of any income, savings and investments declared on the form.
• Proof of any expenses declared on the form.
• Proof of rent that you pay.
• Proof of any non-dependants income and the interest received on any capital they hold.

If you cannot provide all the evidence required with your application please do not delay returning the application form.

Evidence to support a claim made on the Change of Address Application Form.

All evidence required is detailed in the application form under the relevant sections.

You will need to provide:

• Proof of rent that you pay.
• Proof of any changes that you have declared on the application form.

If you cannot provide all the evidence required with your application please do not delay returning the application form.

To apply online and for more information on any of the benefits listed below please go to the HMRC.gov.website

• Child Tax Credits
• Working Tax Credits

To claim child benefit you need to complete a form and send it to Child Benefit Office, PO Box 1, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE88 1AA to download a form please go to the HMRC.gov.website or the direct gov website.