Income & Capital
Details of income and capital taken into account when you are claiming benefits.
More information
We want to pay you the correct amount of benefit as quickly as possible. We need all the necessary documents before we can do so including proof of all income and capital held by you and your partner (if you have one). This is because Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support are "means tested".
If you or your partner are under the age when you can claim State Pension Credit and have savings over £16,000 it is unlikely that you will qualify for benefits. If you are over the age when you can claim State Pension Credit and have capital of over £16,000, it is unlikely that you will qualify for benefits unless you are receiving the Pension Credit "Guarantee Credit".
Some expenses, other than your rent and council tax, can be taken into account in the calculation of entitlements to benefits.
If you do not have all the proof of income and capital required when you apply we can allow extra time for you to provide it. It is important to apply for benefits at the time when you need them, even if you know that you cannot provide all the proofs we need. If you have any queries about when you should apply please do not hesitate to telephone 01264 368000 for advice.
We also need proof of all income and capital for anyone else in your household, except where the other person is not related to you and is paying you rent for their accommodation.
If you have a Civil Partnership or you are living with someone of the same sex as if you are Civil Partners you will need to provide the same information as opposite sex couples.