Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
Click on the question below to view the answer.
I have put in an application for Housing or Council Tax Benefit but haven't heard anything yet?
I am unable to complete a benefit application on my own?
Do I need to provide any documents with my claim?
I am working but am unable to provide wage slips. What can I do?
I am currently receiving Housing Benefit and my 20 year old son has moved back home. Do I need to do anything?
I am not able to claim benefit because my income is too high. However, my 25 year old daughter has moved in with me and I will now lose my Council Tax Single Person discount. Can I claim any other reductions?
I am 65 and have heard about Pension Credit, but don't know how to make a claim?
Someone I know is committing Benefit Fraud but I don’t want them to know that I have reported this, what shall I do?
Answers
I have put in an application for Housing or Council Tax Benefit but haven't heard anything yet?
On average we are dealing with claims within 34 days. To apply for Housing or Council Tax Benefit you must complete an application form and provide documentary evidence to support it. If we require any further information or evidence we will write to you and ask.
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I am unable to complete a benefit application on my own?
In Southwark there are a number of ways in which you can make you claim:
- E-Benefit Appointment
- E-Benefit Home Visit
- E-Benefit On-Line Application
- Paper application form
If you are unable to complete a form alone then we have staff on hand to assist. You can make an appointment to see them at one of our offices or in your own home. They will complete the application for you, as well as collect and verify the required evidence. Please telephone 020 7525 1880 to discuss the best way to make a claim and make an appointment.
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Do I need to provide any documents with my claim?
When making a claim for Housing or Council Tax Benefit you will need to provide a number of documents to support the information you have given.
Please click here for details and examples of the types of documents that should be provided.
We must see original documents, not copies. If you do not wish to send important documents through the post, you can bring them into one of our offices, arrange an E-Benefit appointment or a visit. The officer will verify your documents and complete the form for you. Please telephone a member of staff on 020 7525 1880 if you would like to arrange an appointment or visit.
If you cannot provide all of the documents straight away, you should still make a claim and contact a member of staff to request an extension of time. Failure to provide all of the required information will result in your claim not being assessed.
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I am working but am unable to provide wage slips. What can I do?
If you are working you will need to provide proof of your income; generally this would be in the form of wage slips - if paid weekly, the last five payslips or if paid monthly, the last two payslips.
If you do not have wage slips then you can either provide
- A letter from your employer
- Complete an earnings form. This is included with
 the benefit application form or you can click here to download a Proof of Earnings form (pdf 61kb)
If you are unable to provide all of the required evidence then you should provide as much as possible and explain why the remaining evidence is missing. Please remember that any delay could result in a loss of benefit.
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I am currently receiving Housing Benefit and my 20 year old son has moved back home. Do I need to do anything?
If you are receiving Housing or Council Tax Benefit and your circumstances or the circumstances of any member of your household change then you must inform the benefit section. Your claim will not always be amended from the date of the change; it will depend on when we are advised and whether the change is advantageous to you (i.e. whether you will receive more benefit following the change).
If you receive too much benefit then you will be asked to repay the extra.
In this situation we would need to know his name, date of birth, the exact date he moved in and his income. For more information on how this may effect your entitlement please go to the Non-Dependant Deductions page.
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I am not able to claim benefit because my income is too high. However, my 25 year old daughter has moved in with me and I will now lose my Council Tax Single Person discount. Can I claim any other reductions?
Once your daughter moves in your discount will cease. However, if she fulfils certain criteria she may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, for example if she is a full time student. Please click here for more information on this reduction and the criteria.
Alternatively you may be able to claim Second Adult Rebate. This is a benefit that would be based upon her income rather than yours. Please click here for more information on Second Adult Rebate.
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I am 65 and have heard about Pension Credit, but don't know how to make a claim?
If you feel that you may be entitled to Pension Credit or would like to find out more, please contact a member of staff on 020 7089 6026.
They will be happy to explain the details and can complete the application form for you.
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Someone I know is committing Benefit Fraud but I don’t want them to know that I have reported this, what shall I do?
Southwark takes Benefit Fraud seriously and would always encourage you to report it..
If you suspect that someone is fraudulently claiming housing benefit, you can call our fraud hotline, anomalously, on 0800 052 1010.
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Contact us
By telephone
020 7525 1880 - housing and council tax benefit
020 7525 1850 - council tax
By post
Council Tax Section
London Borough Of Southwark
P.O. Box 782
Bromley
BR1 3YE
Please indicate which department your query is for.
In person
Bermondsey One Stop Shop
Spa Road
Bermondsey
SE16 3QN
Peckham One Stop Shop
Ground Floor
Peckham Library
122 Peckham Hill Street
SE15 5JR
Walworth One Stop Shop
151 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1RY
Dulwich Area Housing Office
41-43 East Dulwich Road
Dulwich
SE22 9BY
All one stop shops are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. In addition, Peckham one stop shop is open on Saturday, 9am to 1pm.
By email
Housing/council tax benefit: souhousingbenefitsuk@liberata.com
Council tax: soucounciltaxuk@Liberata.com |