How to claim

You apply for Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Benefit and Second Person Discount together using the same form.

You need to fill in the form, and also provide us with some original supporting documents.

You can send us all of this, or bring it in to our customer service centre.

1. Complete the application form

Download the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claim form

If you need some assistance or advice on completing the form, come and see us and we will be glad to help.

2. Supporting documents that we need to see

As well as completing the form we will need to see other documents. If you live with a partner, we will also need to see their information. All documents must be originals, unfortunately we cannot accept photocopies.

This is what we need:

• National Insurance number

  If you cannot provide a National Insurance card, or a document such as a P60, P45, benefit entitlement letter, etc, then we will have to contact the Department of Work and Pensions, which will delay your application.

• Proof of ID (two per person)

  For example, your passport, driving licence or birth certificate.

• Evidence of income (earned income or other benefits)

  • State benefits

    This could be a letter of your entitlement or your payment book.

  • Earned income

    The most recent consecutive payslips - five weekly, three if paid fortnightly or two if paid monthly.

  • Self employed

    Detailed accounts to show your income and expenditure.

  • Any other income

    Official documents confirming date payment commenced, how much you will receive and frequency you are paid.

• Proof of rent and tenancy

  Tenancy agreement, rent book or a completed form from your landlord.

  Download a Tenancy declaration form for your landlord to complete

3. Submitting your application

You can send us your application in the post. Make sure you include your completed application form and supporting documents together in the same envelope.

Cambridge City Council
Revenue Services (Benefits)
Freepost PO Box 130
Cambridge CB2 1BR

If you want to visit the customer service centre you can bring your application with you. Bring your completed application form and all supporting documents.

If you provide all the required information, we will try to process your application on the same day.

Don't delay!

Benefit cannot normally be backdated, so it is important that you send your completed form and documents to us as soon as possible.