What happens if my form is incomplete?

It is very important that any claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction is fully complete so that we can process your benefit without delay.

A complete form means that:

• the benefit claim form has been signed by the claimant and any partner, and then dated, and all the relevant information has been clearly entered on the form in black ink and in the correct areas.
• all the necessary proof of identification, evidence of income, capital/savings and rent (if paid) has been received and accepted.

Although we cannot refuse to accept a benefit claim (even if some evidence or information is not received with the claim form) your claim will not be fully processed until all the required evidence/information is received.

In some circumstances, if we have enough information, we may process your claim but then withhold payment if we do not have all the documents we require. This means that payment delays will be possible and that we may have to contact you again for the evidence/information required. We wish to avoid incomplete claims being received as this delays your payment and increases our costs.