How to claim
Dependent on your circumstances there are now two ways of claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
New or Repeat Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance
If you are also making a new or repeat claim for Income Support (IS) or Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) you will make your claim for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit at the Jobcentre Plus at the same time as you claim IS or JSA. This is known as the Customer Management System (CMS).
Once they have dealt with your claim for IS or JSA, the Jobcentre Plus will send us your details. Before your claim for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit can be processed, we may need to write to you for more information, such as proof of your rent.
CMS is the Jobcentre Plus's Customer Management System. CMS is an interactive information gathering process for working age customers wishing to make a new claim for Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance. Customers claiming these benefits will claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit at the same time at the Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus will forward the customer's details to Dartford Borough Council Benefits Department. Although Jobcentre Plus will gather and verify information that is relevant to their claim, Dartford Borough Council Benefits department may still have to obtain the necessary proof to enable claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit to be processed.
If you are making a claim for Employment Suport Allowance (ESA) the Job Centre Plus office will send you an application form to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
The telephone number for customers who need to claim Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit is 0800 055 6688.
All other people
If you are already claiming Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance, or are in receipt of other income, such as earned income (including self employed earnings), or pensions, you must claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit directly from Dartford Borough Council.
Claim Forms
To claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit you must first complete an application form.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit application forms are available to download/print from the list below, from the Civic Centre and the Swanscombe and Temple Hill cashiers' offices.
- BENEFIT FORMS- IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- BENEFIT CLAIM FORM (PDF document)
- CERTIFICATE OF EARNINGS FORM (PDF document)
This means that all original documentation will have to be seen and copied by benefits staff. We do not accept photocopies. Supplying us with this information at the earliest opportunity will ensure that your claim is dealt with in the quickest possible time.
Special note for Pensioners in receipt of Pension Credits
If you are a pensioner who is already in receipt of Pension Credit (Savings Credit or Guaranteed Credit) you need only provide evidence of your entitlement. We do not need to see proof of any other income or capital you have.
Fully completed claim form
This means that you must answer every question. If you make mistake just crossed it out and put the right answer next to it. Remember to sign the form. If someone else completes the form for you, there is a place where he or she should sign.
You should submit the claim form, even if you are not able to supply all of the evidence. Any delay in returning the form may affect the date your entitlement to benefit will start from.
What to do next?
The claim form can be returned to us by post to the Civic Centre or alternatively you can submit the claim form and proofs in person at the Contact Centre at the Civic Centre or Swanscombe Cash Office. If you supply the proofs in person will we scan the originals into our Document Imaging System and give you the originals back.
It is important that you contact us if you need more time to supply your proofs.
If you have difficulties getting around we can arrange for a Visiting Officer to come to your home to collect the claim form and proofs. You can make an appointment for one of our Visiting Officers to visit you in your own home by telephoning (01322) 343434 during office hours.
Please remember that you must continue to pay your rent and council tax bills until your claim has been processed and you have been informed of the award.
Pension Credit claimants
If you applying for Pension Credit by telephone you wil be able to make a telephone claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
