Backdated Benefit

What is Backdated Benefit?

Entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is normally awarded from the Monday after the date on which we receive a claim form.  However, in certain circumstances, it may be possible to award benefit from an earlier date.  This is known as 'Backdated' Housing Benefit.

The maximum length of time that Backdated Benefit can be awarded from changed from 6 October, 2008 as follows:

• 6 months for working age customers
• 3 months for Pension Credit age customers (60 for women, 65 for men)

Working age men aged 60 - 64

There are separate rules for working age men aged 60 - 64, as although they are working age, they are still able to claim Pension Credit. These rules are as follows:

If the claimant or partner receives Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based) or Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related).

6 months.

If the claimant receives Pension Credit and the partner does not receive Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based) or Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related

3 months.

How do I make a claim for Backdated Benefit?

If you want to make a request for Backdated Benefit, you will need to tell us, in writing, why you want the claim to be backdated, the date you want it backdated to and why you did not claim earlier.

You will also need to show 'good cause' as to why you did not claim benefit from the earlier date.

Examples of 'good cause' are listed below:

• You were ill and had no one to claim on your behalf.
• You could not reasonably have been expected to have known your rights e.g. where there have been changes in the law.
• You did not understand that you could claim because of age, inexperience, language difficulties, difficulty in understanding technical documents or some other reason.
• You were wrongly advised that you would not be entitled to Housing Benefit /Council Tax Benefit.
• You are unable to manage your affairs and do not have a representative who deals with your affairs.
• You have become liable for Council Tax for a past period.

You must be able to show that 'good cause' was present for the whole period of time that you are requesting the Backdated Benefit to be awarded for.

If you are not sure whether you qualify, please contact the Benefits Service.