Benefits

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

You will need to prove your identity if you:

• are claiming benefit;
• are starting work and need a National Insurance (NI) number;
• are actively seeking work and will need a NI number: evidence that you are actively seeking work could include:
  
  
  • letters from employers;
  • details of employment agencies with which you are registered;
  • confirmation of registration with a Jobcentre.

If you are claiming benefit for your partner or an adult dependant, you will need to prove their identity as well. If the partner or dependant has a NI number, you will need to provide this number.

If you have an NI number, you should take it will you. If you do not have an NI number, the local DWP office will arrange an interview.

Papers you can use

These are some of the papers you can use to help prove your identity (photocopies will not be accepted):

• valid passport;
• valid identity card;
• two or more passports if you are of dual or multiple nationality;
• Home Office documents;
• work permit;
• letter from an employer or a contract of employment;
• payslips;
• mortgage or rental agreement or a letter confirming where you live;
• marriage certificate;
• Bbrth certificate;
• deed poll;
• student loan documentation;
• letter from your college including details of the type and length of your course and the weekly hours you attend;
• student identity card;
• full driving licence;
• medical card;
• current utility bill;
• bank card;
• cheque book.

Housing Benefit claims

When making a claim for Housing Benefit, certain pieces of original evidence will need to be sent in with the claim. Original documents must be sent, not photocopies. The same evidence will also be required for your partner, if you have one.

• Evidence of identity: such as birth or marriage certificate, passport, National Insurance number card, medical card, driving licence, UK residence permit, EEC identity card or recent gas or electricity bill. Several of these documents may be required for each person.
• Evidence of address: such as a recent gas or electricity bill or a TV licence.
• Evidence of National Insurance number: such as National Insurance number card, payslips or letters from the Department of Work and Pensions or HM Revenue and Customs.
• Evidence of capital, savings and investments: such as all your bank or building society or post office books, full bank statements, certificates for premium bonds, National Savings Certificates, ISAs, stocks, shares and unit trusts. Evidence of any interest or dividends you get on investments or savings. Savings books need to be updated to show current interest, deposits, withdrawals etc.
• Evidence of earnings (also for all adults living in your home): last five payslips if weekly paid. Last three payslips if fortnightly paid. Last two payslips if monthly paid. If you do not have these, ask for a certificate of earnings, which your employer will complete.
• Self-employed earnings: ask for a Self-employed Earnings Form (SE03). This should be completed and presented with your trading accounts for the last financial year. If you have been trading less than six months, a summary of your trading accounts so far will be required.
• Evidence of other income (also for all adults living in your home): such as pension slips from a former employer or a letter from a court showing how much maintenance you are getting. The council needs to see evidence of any money people pay you for board and lodgings.
• Evidence of benefits, allowances or pensions (also for all adults living in your home): such as current award notices or letters from the DWP, The Pension Service or HM Revenue and Customs.
• Evidence of private rent or tenancy: such as a rent book, rent receipts, tenancy agreement or letter from your landlord.
• Evidence of other money paid out: such as letters about student grants or maintenance, agreements or receipts from registered childcarers.

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