Things we will ask about
Financial assessments can seem confusing and worrying. To help, we have put together this list of things that we will ask about during your assessment.
About you
To start with, we'll need your contact information.
If you have one, we will also need details of your power of attorney, deputy or financial representative. In this case you might need the following documents:
- Power of Attorney documentation
- Appointee forms
- Court of Protection Order
Savings and capital
We'll need to know about all your bank accounts, and any savings, bonds and investments you have.
Documents you might need:
- bank account statements
- savings account statements
- Bond certificates
- life assurance bond certificates evidencing life/lives assured and any income received
- Share certificates
- National savings certificates
- investment or trust documents
- property title and mortgage documents
Income
We'll need to know about any income you make, including:
- benefits you receive
- all your pensions
- any rental income from property or land
Documents you might need:
- latest benefit entitlement or award letters from the Department for Work and Pensions for the current financial year
- verification of private pension
- paperwork relating to a deferred pension or annuity
- proof of salary
- evidence of rental income
- current bank account statements detailing other income
If you are waiting to hear about a benefit you have applied for, please let us know as soon as you hear about the claim.
Housing costs
We'll need to know about your share of housing expenses, including:
- Council Tax
- rent or mortgage
- service charges or utility bills
Documents you might need:
- housing benefit or Council Tax award letter
- paperwork showing how much you pay for rent, service charges, mortgage and Council Tax
- breakdown showing other costs included in your rent and service charges
- last 4 utility bills showing your annual heating and power costs
- water, sewerage, buildings and contents insurance bills
Proof of Direct Debit payments will be accepted.
Costs linked to your disability
If you are having care at home, your social worker will need to tell us about any expenses you have because of your condition, impairment or disability. These are known as disability related expenditures. For more information, see the statutory guidance on disability-related expenditure on GOV.UK
Exceptional energy use
Your disability may cause you to use more energy than the average household. This includes gas, electricity and other fuels. It is called exceptional energy usage. Let us know if you think you have exceptional disability usage.
Each financial year, the Office for National Statistics publishes rates for exceptional energy usage. We consider these rates when completing financial assessments. Please tell us during your financial assessment if you feel your disability results in increased energy use each year.
Property
We'll need to know about any property and land you own.
Documents you might need:
- your latest mortgage statement
- documents relating to additional property
- equity release documents
- proof of joint ownership
- proof of properties owned in the last 2 years