Benefits - Information needed to support a claim

This page is a guide to the Verification Framework, and tells you what information you must provide to support a claim for benefit.

The Verification Framework

Coventry City Council benefits service has changed the way it deals with new claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. We now follow rules that are set out in 'The Verification Framework.'

The Verification Framework is a 'good practice guide' which was developed by the Department of Work and Pensions (formerly the Department of Social Security). The framework provides local authorities with a set of minimum standards of evidence it must gather and checks that it must complete as part of the way we assess new claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

As a result of this we have to verify all of your details and the information you provide in support of your claim for benefit. In cases where we are required to verify a claim for benefit we must see original documents. We cannot accept photocopies. Any original documents you provide us with will be copied and checked by a trained officer and returned to you straight away.

What is the purpose of the Verification Framework?

The standards set out in the Verification Framework help us to be able to prevent incorrect and fraudulent claims entering the benefit system. By gathering all the evidence we need and by conducting various checks as required by the framework we will be able to ensure that the information we have is correct and reduce the risk of false information being supplied to us either deliberately (fraudulently) or by mistake.

If you do not provide the information we need to process your claim you may lose entitlement to Housing or Council Tax Benefit.

Evidence of your identity and National Insurance Number

In most cases you will need to provide two items of evidence to prove your identity and National Insurance Number. Listed below are some examples of acceptable evidence:

• Bank Statement
• Birth Certificate
• Driving Licence
• Letter from the Inland Revenue
• Letter from the Department of Work and Pensions
• Letter from Social Services
• Marriage Certificate
• Medical Card
• National Insurance Number card
• Paid utility bill for your current address
• Passport

This list is for guidance only. There may be other forms of evidence which would be acceptable. If you are unsure please contact us and one of our officers will be able to answer any questions you have.

Evidence of your income and non-dependents income

In support of your claim for benefit we must see evidence of your income. We must also see evidence of any income received by members of your household who are not your partner and for whom nobody receives Child Benefit (a non-dependent). Suitable forms of evidence may include:

• Child benefit award letter
• Invoices and receipts
• Letter from the Inland Revenue
• Letter from the Department of Work and Pensions
• Letter from employer
• Self employed accounts
• Wage slips from your current employer

Evidence of your capital

We must see evidence of any savings or investments that you have, including any money you have in bank or building society accounts. Suitable evidence includes:

• Last two months bank or building society statements
• Bond certificate
• Share certificate
• Unit trust certificate

Evidence of your rent

In order to assess a claim for Housing Benefit we must see evidence of your rental liability for address that you wish to claim for. Suitable forms of evidence include:

• Letter from your landlord
• A valid tenancy agreement
• Proof of rent form (to be completed by your landlord)

How do I provide the relevant information?

The sooner we receive the information to support your claim for benefit the sooner we can process your claim. Any documents that you need to provide us with in support of your claim can be brought to our offices (see contact details below) where one of our trained customer service officers will be available to verify the information you are providing over the counter and return the documents to you straight away. We will also issue you with a receipt to confirm that you have submitted the relevant information in support of your claim.

You can bring your documents into our main office at the address below, or you may wish to visit one of our community-based surgeries where officers are available to verify any information you need to provide us with.

Contact details

Housing Centre
Spire House,
New Union Street,
Coventry,
CV1 2PW
Tel: 024 7683 1800
Fax: 024 7683 1711
e-mail: benefits@coventry.gov.uk

Opening Hours:

Monday 9.00am - 4.30pm
Tuesday 10.00am - 4.30pm
Wednesday 9.00am - 4.30pm
Thursday 9.00am - 4.30pm
Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm