Extra information you may need

You must provide supporting information and evidence with your claim. These must be original documents, not photocopies.

We will usually need to see:

• two pieces of evidence proving your identity
• one document that shows your National Insurance number (and your partner’s, if needed)
• proof of all your income
• proof of all your savings and investments
• proof of the income of anyone living with you who does not depend on you financially

The application form gives you details of what type of evidence we accept.

You should make your claim as soon as you can. If you do not have any of the supporting evidence when you make your claim, you can send it in later. We must receive this evidence within one calendar month of the date you made your claim.

If you do not provide the information we need to process your claim, there will be a delay in paying your benefit.

You must tell us about all your savings and investments.

Examples include:

• The money you have in a bank or building society account (even if your account is overdrawn)
• Land or property you own, other than the home you live in
• Stocks and shares
• Premium bonds
• National savings certificates
• ISA accounts
• Post Office accounts
• Crypto

This is not a full list, and is only meant to give examples of what you must tell us about.

Affect on benefit

If you have more than £16,000 in savings or investments, you usually won’t qualify for benefits.

If you’re of pension age, the first £10,000 won’t count.

If you get Guarantee Credit from the Pension Service, the £16,000 savings limit doesn’t apply. You can still get benefits even if your savings are over this amount.

Some types of savings and investments don’t count when working out your benefits. For more details, contact the Benefits Section.