Apply for council tax support

Retrieve a saved claim

If you don’t have time to complete the form in one go, you can save it and fill it in later.

If you decide to save it, you will be given a reference which you will need to keep safe, in order to return to your application - retrieve a claim you have already started.

For security reasons, we only keep saved applications for 10 days from the date they are first started. If you do not return to it within this time, the data you entered is deleted from our system and you will need to restart the application process.

How to upload your evidence

Uploading your evidence online will help to speed up the processing of your application - see our checklist below to see what you need to get ready.

You can upload your evidence when you reach the final application checks by clicking ‘upload evidence’. You must do this before you click ‘submit my claim’ otherwise you will not be able to attach evidence to your claim.

If you use a tablet or smartphone, you can take a photograph of your evidence and upload each document.

When you click on ‘upload evidence’ you need to click ‘choose file’ to either select a file which is stored in your gallery/desktop or take a photograph of your document. When you have loaded the document, click into the drop-down list of document types and select a description.

If you have more than one document, click on ‘add another’ and repeat the above steps. You can do this as many times as you like until all of your documents are attached.

When you are finished, click on ‘next' and you will be able to submit your claim.

Evidence checklist

To claim council tax support you will need to provide scans, photos or photocopies of a range of evidence, including:

• Two forms of identity, such as passport and driving licence (for you and your partner – if applicable)*
• Documents showing your national insurance number, such as a payslip, P60 or benefits letter (for you and your partner – if applicable)*.
• Evidence of child benefit you receive for your children, such as a bank statement or award letter.
• Birth certificate for any child under the age of 5.
• Evidence of income for any non-dependant person(s) living with you
• Student certificate (available from your education provider) and evidence of any student bursary, grant or loan.
• Payslips for any paid employment.
• Accounts for any self-employment that shows a summary of your income and expenditure.
• Details of any other income you receive.
• Details of child care costs – such as invoice or a letter from your childcare provider.
• Evidence of all capital (held by you and your partner – if applicable) – such as bank statements.
• A screen shot of your Universal Credit award showing the total amount you receive and any deductions being taken and any earnings being taken into account.  If you have applied for a back dated period, we will need screen shots of your award for the whole period that covers your back dating request

Upload evidence

*You do not have to provide evidence of you/your partner’s national insurance number and two forms of identity if you have provided it to us as part of a previous claim, or if you receive one of the following benefits:

• Income support
• Income-related employment support allowance
• Income-based jobseekers allowance
• Pension credit
• Universal credit

You do not need to send us evidence of the following benefits, as we are able to verify these with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP):

• Attendance allowance
• Bereavement benefit
• Disability living allowance
• Employment support allowance
• Income support
• Jobseekers allowance
• Maternity allowance
• Pension credit
• Personal independence payments
• State retirement pension
• Tax credits (unless you receive child tax credit for 3 children or more)

Struggling to upload evidence?

If you can’t upload your evidence you can email it to benefits@lichfielddc.gov.uk 

Alternatively, you can visit our reception team at the District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13, 6YY and we will scan your evidence for you - we are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (not including bank holidays).

Or you can send your evidence to: Lichfield District Council, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6YY

Please note:

• We are happy to accept clear photocopies of evidence. We do not recommend you send in original documents, as these will not be returned to you. If you do not have a photocopy, please visit us in reception and we will scan them for you whilst you wait. 
• If you do not pay the correct postage, your documents will not reach us and will be retained by the Post Office. You will also not be notified. If you do not have a stamp or cannot afford the postage please visit us in reception and we will scan them for you whilst you wait.