Housing Benefit Review
We review your housing benefit to make sure you are receiving the correct amount.
How often will my claim be reviewed?
Your claim will be reviewed on a random basis. Some claimants may have their benefit reviewed every 3 months, others may be once a year.
We review claims to ensure that the benefit in payment is correct. If your claim has been selected for review, the benefit section will contact you by making either a notified or un-notified visit or sending you a form through the post.
What will happen at a visit?
An officer will visit your home and complete the review form for you in your presence. The officer must see original documents to back up your claim. Please note our visiting officers always carry a picture identification as part of their accreditation.
What do I do with the form I have received through the post?
You must answer all the questions asked on the form for both yourself and for your partner, this includes civil partnerships (PDF, 16 KB)and provide original documentation and evidence to support your claim (PDF, 20Kb). You must return the form within 7 days or your benefit may be suspended.
What documents will be required if I am on Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based) or Guarantee Pension Credit?
You are not required to provide evidence of your income as we can verify this with the Department of Work and Pensions.
What documents will be required if I am not on above benefits?
If you are in receipt of any other state benefit then you must provide yur letter of award. If you are working you must provide payslips (5 if paid weekly, 3 if fortnightly and 2 if monthly). If you are self employed you must provide the latest audited accounts of the business. If you are in receipt of any other income you must provide any other relevant documentary evidence of amounts being received, i.e. retirement pension notice, personal pension award notice, student grant award or loan notice, maintenance payments, child tax/working tax credit award letter. You must also provide the last 2 months bank statements for all bank and building society accounts held, any bank or building society pass books, share certificates or national saving certificates. If you are paying childcare costs for your child, please provide documentary evidence from your childcare provider. If you have a private landlord then you will need evidence confirming your rent.
The amount of savings (PDF 20Kb) you have may affect your claim.
What evidence do I need for any non dependant's income?
If you have any non-dependants (PDF, 20KB) staying with you then you will need to provide documentary evidence of their income. This can be a payslip or job seekers allowance award letter or proof of any other state benefit or income. We will also require this information where any second adult rebate is being claimed.
What happens next?
We will assess your claim and make any necessary changes. If we have made any changes to your claim then you will receive an award letter approximately 7 –14 days after we have carried out our assessment. The award letter will show the new amount of benefit we shall be paying.
What if I don't return the review form or allow a visit to be carried out?
If you don't return your review form or allow a visit to be carried out, your Housing and /or Council Tax Benefit claim may be cancelled. If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant you will be charged full rent from the date your claim is cancelled. This could lead to arrears building up in your rent account, which you will be liable for. If you are a private tenant your landlord will expect you to cover the rent from the date your claim is cancelled, if you don't, your landlord could serve you with a Notice to quit and/or take legal action against you. If you are responsible for paying Council Tax you will be liable for the full amount due from the date your claim is cancelled until the end of the financial year. This could lead to arrears building up which you will be liable for.
Find out for yourself how much benefit you may be entitled to by using the Benefit calculator.
Did you know that we offer Extended Payments (PDF 48Kb) for the first four weeks when you or your partner either start work or increase your hours or earnings, and as a result you are no longer entitled to certain benefits.
We have an application form for Council Tax and Housing Benefit (PDF 151Kb) you can fill this in or contact your local office for help filling it in.