Housing benefit and providing bank statements

SandA

Hi

Just did the online calculation and it has stated that I may be entitled £17 a week housing benefit, so im going to apply. I'm aware you have to provide 2 months bank statements for you and your partner, what time frame does this need to be in? i.e 2 in the last 2-3 months?

Also, ive been a lazy sod and haven't changed my address on my bank yet, so my statements are in my old address. (had a baby and keep forgetting to do it, but will this week!) will this affect my claim at all as long as I explain why theres a different address on there?

Thanks

[Deleted User]

i would suggest 2 things
1)change address with bank now
2)be prepared to supply upto six months bank statements,in my experience 2 statements out of 3 months wont be enough so the more you give them the less likely there is of a delay

coffeelover65

2 months of statements for all of your accounts, also provide a covering letter explaining why they show your old address.

You should only need more than this in the event you're also requesting that your claim is backdated.

Depending on the council in question (as they all have different verification systems), you may not need to provide any proof at all if you have less than £6000 in total.

Don't delay making a claim just to wait for bank statements, make your claim now and supply any evidence you don't have now as soon as possible.

coffeelover65

You'll only know for sure once the claim is processed, I've seen many cases where people complain they've used a calculator online that gives 1 figure but when the claim is assessed a different figure is determined.

I'm assuming your partners working, you're currently receiving maternity pay through the employer rather than the DWP. You should also be receiving Child Benefit and may qualify for tax credits.

Once your maternity pay ends you will still have an income, namely your partners wages, the child benefit, and possibly tax credits.

You should inform the HB department about any changes to your circumstances as soon as (or before if possible) any changes that are likely to occur as you'll need to repay any overpayment of benefit that occurs.

missmontana

has to be the most recent statements, but they will accept a print out from the bank as long as it's stamped. or a print off if you have internet banking.

MoneySaver_x

The address shouldn't be a problem, I'm on maternity pay just now and entitled to help, when sending in bank statements my partners account had the wrong address but they didn't ask about it, we had been living here for 5 months.