Document requirements for homeless prevention advice and assistance applications
The fastest way to get the support you need is to upload all the required documents in your online application for homelessness assistance. Use the guidance below to check what documents you will need to provide and get them ready before starting the form. Some of the documents listed below may not be relevant to your circumstances.
If you do not have documents in electronic form already, you can get assistance to scan them at any of the libraries in Newham - do this before you start the form. Photos of documents can be used but this will reduce the amount of documents you can upload, due to their size.
Proof of identity and immigration status
One document from List A, plus one from List B if you are from outside the UK, must be provided for every person you want included on your application.
List A
- Passport
- Identification card (European Countries)
- Biometric identification card (front & back) with
- Full birth certificate
List B
- Home Office documentation confirming immigration status in the UK
- E-visa share code
Proof of your housing history for the last 5 years
You must provide one document for each property you lived in during each of the last 5 years.
Each document must:
- be in your name
- show the address
- show a date covering the relevant period
Example
If you lived at three different addresses during 2023, you must provide one document for each of those addresses for that year.
Accepted documents
You can provide any of the following:
- Tenancy agreement
- Utility bill (for example electricity, gas or water)
- Bank statement
- Medical or NHS letter
- Driving licence
- Rent statement or rent book
- Any other official document showing your name, address and date
What counts as an official document?
An official document is a letter or document from a recognised organisation, usually on headed paper. Examples include documents from:
- the NHS
- a bank
- a solicitor
- a government department
- a local council
Proof of pregnancy
One document from the list below must be provided for any person on your application who is pregnant.
- Maternity certificate from your doctor (not your chemist)
- Maternity book/notes
- Doctor's letter with estimated due date (EDD)
Proof that you have been asked to leave your home - where you are not the tenant/owner of the property
- Written statement from the person asking you to leave
Proof that you are facing exclusion/eviction from a tenancy or owned property
Provide all that are relevant:
- Tenancy Agreement
- Section 21 Notice to Quit - where this has been issued you will also need to provide:
- Gas Safety Certificate - given at start of tenancy
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - given at start of tenancy
- Electrical Safety Certificate - given at start of tenancy
- Right to Rent leaflet and the date issued - given at start of tenancy
- Evidence of Deposit protection scheme - given at start of tenancy
- Notice Seeking Possession (Section 8 notice)
- Possession Order
- Bailiff’s Warrant
- Injunctions or other legal documentation relevant to your exclusion/eviction
- Copies of any complaints put in writing to the landlord
Details of any property you own or have owned
One of the following for each property you own or have owned:
- If you are a sole or joint owner occupier of a property, a letter from a solicitor is required to show how much money you would be entitled to receive if the property is sold.
- If you have already sold the property, a completion statement from the solicitor who dealt with the sale is required.
Income details
Provide all that are relevant for each household member who has some form of income from employment or a benefit:
- Contract of employment
- Pay slips
- Earnings from self-employment
- Benefit entitlement letters
Medical or details of Support received
Evidence from a doctor or hospital may be provided in support of your application including details of prescribed medication.
