Make a new benefits claim

To assess whether you can make your claim by phone please read the information below:

• Have you or your partner come to live in the country in the last five years?
• Are you under 60 years of age and have capital over £16,000? *

If you answered 'yes'

If you have answered yes to any of the questions above then you can not complete your application form by phone and you need to phone us on 0161 909 6504 to request a claim form.

* Savings, investments and other assets (of claimant and partner), you cannot qualify for any housing benefit or (most) council tax benefit if you and any partner have £16,000 or more in savings and investments. The home you live in and personal possessions do not count.

If you answered 'no'

If you have answered no you may be able to complete your application over the phone but to do this we will need some information from you. Please complete our online form to allow us to gather this information or phone us on 0161 909 6506 to make an appointment. You will need the following details to hand when we contact you again to complete your application form:

• National insurance numbers for you and your partner
• Names and date of births for you, your partner and all your household members
• All income/earning/capital details for you, your partner and all household members
• Your tenancy details if you pay rent to a landlord, for example start date of your tenancy and the amount of rent you pay

If you are unable to make your claim by telephone, or visit one of our customer service centres as you are unable to leave your home, you can request a home visit and our staff will assist you with your claim. Please contact us on 0161 909 6504 to request a home visit.

This page was last updated on 9 March 2012