How to claim

This section gives you guidance on making a claim for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate.  Many people do not claim the benefits that they are entitled to.  Please contact us on 01372 732269 for help or advice if you are in any doubt about making a claim; we can give you advice or answer any questions you might have.  We are here to pay you the benefits that you are entitled to.

Making a claim
Will I qualify for benefit?

If you are unsure about whether you will be entitled to any benefit please try our benefit calculator.  You will have to fill in the requested information and a calculation will be made instantly.  It will give you a rough idea of whether you will qualify for benefit.  If you are unsure of the result then please contact us.  Please note that most full time students will not be eligible for benefit.  If you feel that you may qualify due to a disability or you have dependant children then please seek advice from our advisors.

Link to Benefits quick calculator  

I think I'm eligible, what now?

For any claim for Housing or Council Tax Benefit you will have to complete an application form.  If you claim Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance, you will get a form for Housing and Council Tax Benefit with your claim pack.

If you are not claiming other benefits or still need to submit an application form then you can request a paper copy of the form from us.

Please read our guidance notes for filling in the claim form, which are on the form itself.  If you have any further problems, queries or you are unsure of anything to do with making a claim, please contact us on 01372 732269.

You will also need to provide evidence in support of your claim.  Some examples include ID proofs, income proof (pay slips, occupational pension, other benefits, tax credits), proof of all your capital (bank statements, bond certificates), proof of your rent liability (tenancy agreement).

If you send a form without the evidence required, we will contact you to tell you what we need.  We will not be able to process your claim without all the supporting evidence.  All evidence supplied in support of your claim must be in the form of original documentation.  We will not accept photocopies. Failure to provide all the requested information within the time limit may mean that you could lose benefit.

The claim form must be sent to :

The Benefit Section
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Town Hall
The Parade
Epsom
Surrey
KT18 5BY

When should I claim?

You should make your claim as soon as possible.  If you delay claiming, you may lose benefit.  If you don't have all the proofs, don't delay returning your claim form to us, you can send proof later.

You can claim up to 13 weeks before you become entitled to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit, so if you know you are moving into rented accommodation or somewhere where you will need to pay Council Tax soon, you can make a claim.  You will not usually receive any money before you move in.

If you move address or there is another change in your circumstances you should tell us immediately as you may need to make a new claim for benefit.

Download change of Circumstances form (PDF Version)

When will my benefit start?

Usually your benefit will start from the Monday after we receive your claim form, or when you become eligible, if submitting your claim early.

What happens next?

We will tell you in writing whether you qualify for benefit or not.  If you do qualify, we will tell you how much you will receive, how you will get it and the date your benefit will start.

Further Information

Telephone:  01372 732269
email:  benefits@epsom-ewell.gov.uk