How to claim benefits in Newham

To get Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit you have to make a claim in writing on one of our claim forms. You can claim free school meals (subject to eligibility) at the same time.

Important information

Are you aged 25 to 34, live alone and rent private accommodation or thinking of renting private accommodation?

The government is making a change to the way Housing Benefit is calculated for single people aged 25 to 34, living alone and renting private accommodation.

Please read about this important change to Housing Benefit, which could affect you from 1 January 2012.

How to make a request to claim benefits

• You can download a combined Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claim form plus our supporting documentation checklist to remind you what you need to give us with your claim.
• You can telephone us on 020 8430 2000 to ask us to send a form to you.
• You can pick up a claim form from your Local Service Centre.

Before completing your claim form you should use our easy benefits calculator to check your eligibility and estimate what you may be entitled to.

Once you have fully completed and signed the claim form you can post it back to:

Newham Benefits Service
PO BOX 23504
London
E15 4UU

Or call the Contact Centre on 020 8430 2000 to arrange an appointment.

Getting help to fill in the form

If you are having trouble completing the form and do not have anyone that can help you fill it in, or you have difficulties getting around, please contact us on 020 8430 2000 and we can arrange an appointment or a home visit for you.

Reporting a change in your circumstances in Newham

If you are already receiving Housing/Council Tax Benefit or free school meals, you need to tell us if your circumstances change. You need to tell us what has changed and the date the change occurred as soon as possible, preferably within one calendar month of the change happening. To do this either:

• Telephone us on 020 8430 2000 and tell us what has changed and the date the change occurred.
• Write to us giving details of the change at the address above.

What happens next

Once we receive your claim form or you report a change in your circumstances, a
member of staff will check it, and if we need more information we may contact you to arrange an interview.

If we invite you for an interview, details of what information and supporting evidence you will need to bring to your appointment will be sent to you in writing along with directions on how to get to Newham Dockside.

We will only see you if you have an appointment.
If you are late for your appointment, we will not be able to see you.

If you are unable to attend your appointment, you will need to contact us on 020 8430 2000 to arrange another appointment. This may delay the assessment of your claim and you could lose out on benefit you may have been entitled to.

There is no parking available at Newham Dockside unless you are a holder of a blue badge. You will need your blue badge number at the time of booking your appointment so that a parking space can be arranged for you. The best way to get to Newham Dockside is by public transport