BACKDATED BENEFIT
What is Backdated Benefit?
Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit can normally only be
awarded from the Monday following a request is made.
For example:
An application is received at this office on Wednesday 4,
January 2006.
The start date for benefit will be the following Monday 9,
January 2006.
If a person wishes to apply for a period prior to the normal
rules (as in the example before 9th January) they will
need to apply for Backdated Benefit.
Do I need to complete a form to make a request for
Backdated Benefit?
No, but we will need enough information to treat any request
as a claim for backdated benefit so we do have a standard form that
you can complete for ease.
A Backdated Benefit leaflet (and form) is available to
complete from our download page.
What do we look at when considering a claim for
backdating?
Benefit can only be awarded if it is considered that a person
has provided good cause as to why they did apply earlier. The
reason would also have to be continuous up to the date that the
backdated request was made.
Benefit can only be backdated for a maximum of 52 weeks from
the date that the request was made.
Evidence will need to be supplied with the claim in order to
support it. For example if a person ha confirmed they were ill
during the period and could not contact our office a letter from
their doctor or hospital would be sufficient to confirm the
illness.
How will I know if my request has been
successful?
A letter will be sent to you advising of
the decision.
What can I do if my request is turned down?
You can appeal.
Who do I contact to see how my claim for Backdated Benefit
is getting on?