Uploading documents as part of your Local Welfare Assistance Application

When you make an online application to the Suffolk Local Welfare Assistance Scheme, you’ll be asked to upload documents to support your application.

All uploaded documents must show:

• The full page or pages of the document
• The name of the relevant applicant  
• The date the document was issued or downloaded

The only document formats accepted are:

• PDF
• PNG
• JPG
• JPEG

Documents uploaded in Excel (.xlsx) Word (.docx) or High Efficiency Image File (HIEC) formats will not be accepted.

Accessing your documents

Downloading bank statements

If you need support on how to download and save bank statements, please use the guidance provided by your specific bank. If you are having problems, please contact the customer support service for your specific bank.

Bank statements must show

• All incomings and outgoings
• Your benefits payments if you are in receipt of benefits
• Your employment income if you are in employment
• The full page or pages of the document
  • The account holder’s name
  • The date the statement was issued or downloaded
  • The account balance at the time the statement was issued or downloaded

If you are downloading bank statements on your mobile phone or tablet, please see below some guidance.

Finding Downloaded Files On iPhones

1. After you’ve downloaded a file, go to your iPhone’s Home Screen.
2. Find and tap on the File app.
3. Look for the “Downloads” folder.
4. Inside the Downloads folder, you’ll find all the files that you’ve downloaded.
5. Save the document (name the document correctly for example Sep and Oct 2022 Bank Statement).
6. When prompted during the application to upload document select ‘attach file’. 

Locate Downloaded Files on Android phones

1. Tap on the app called My Files.
2. Then click Downloads.
3. Save the document (name the document correctly for example Sep and Oct 2022 Bank Statement).
4. When prompted during the application to upload document select ‘attach file’. 

Prepare your documents

Take a photo of your documents

You can take a photo using either a smartphone camera or digital camera.

When you take your photo make sure:

• the area you’re in is well lit
• the document is in focus on your camera screen
• the flash is off on your camera if you’re taking a photo of a reflective document – for example, a laminated passport page

You must save the photo as one of the following file types:

• PNG
• JPG
• JPEG

Most smartphones and digital cameras automatically save photos as one of these file types.

Give your photo file a descriptive name. For example, ‘bank statement 2019’.

If you took a photo using your smartphone and you’re completing the application form on the same phone, you should be able to upload your photo directly from your phone to the application form.

If you took a photo using your smartphone but are using another device to complete your application, you’ll need to transfer your photo to the device you’re applying on. For example, if you’re applying on a laptop, you’ll need to send the photo from your phone to your laptop. You can usually do this by:

• emailing the photo to yourself and opening on your other device
• using a cable to connect your phone with your other device
• sending the image via Bluetooth

If you took a photo using a digital camera, you’ll need to transfer your photo from the camera to the device you’re applying on. You can usually do this by:

• taking the memory card (sometimes known as an SD card) out of the camera and inserting it into a desktop computer or laptop
• using a cable to connect your camera with your other device

Scan your document

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on your scanner to scan your document.

When you create your scan make sure:

• the document is flat against the surface of the scanner
• nothing is covering the information on the document.

You must save the scan as one of the following file types:

• PDF
• PNG
• JPG
• JPEG.

Most scanners automatically save scans as one of these file types.

Give your file a descriptive name. For example, ‘bank statement 2019’.

If your scanner is connected to the device you are completing your application form on, you should be able to upload your file directly from your device to the application form.

If you’re applying on a different device to the one your scanner is connected to, you will need to transfer your file to the device you’re applying on.

Upload your documents

You will need to upload your documents where prompted within the form. Click ‘Choose file’ next to the evidence you want to upload and then select the file you want and click ‘Open’.

If your upload is successful, you will see the title of the selected document in the ‘Choose file’ box.

Repeat these steps for each type of evidence you are asked to upload.

Check your evidence and make any changes needed before you submit it. You cannot upload any other evidence after you submit.