Providing evidence for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

Important Information Regarding Coronavirus

The coronavirus has affected most, if not all Waltham Forest residents. This is likely to be the case for a considerable period of time. The Council has taken a number of measures to assist people if and when they are affected.

We have temporarily relaxed our policy regarding the level of evidence you need to provide to claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support if you are affected by the coronavirus. This applies if you;

• Have, or think you have, contracted it
• Are caring for somebody who may have contracted it
• Are self isolating and
• During periods of national or local lockdown

You will no longer have to provide original documents in support of a claim. We will accept images or copies although you will have to provide originals at a later date.

Evidence to support Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Free School meal claims can be provided online, by post or in person.

When you complete an online claim for housing or council tax support, or an online change in circumstances form, you will automatically receive a notification telling you what information you need to provide. You can supply this information using our online evidence upload form.

The evidence checklist lists the documents or evidence you need to show us as proof of the details within your application. For example, you may need to show us bank statements to prove how much capital you have, or a passport to prove your identity or nationality.

The list also tells you whether you need to show us the originals or copies of each.

If you give us your email address when you apply, the checklist will be emailed to you. If you don’t give us your address you’ll need to make a note of the evidence you need to provide.