Backdating your benefit

When can my benefit be backdated?

We can usually award benefit from the Monday after you send your application form to us. We can also award benefit from the Monday after the date you first tell us you want to make a claim, as long as you return your application form to us within one month.

If you or your partner are over 60, we can automatically backdate your new claim by up to three months - you do not need to tell us why you want to backdate your claim. 

If you or your partner are under 60, we can backdate your benefit by up to six months prior to the date you request it, but only if you have a good reason for not claiming earlier. If you want to have your benefit backdated you must tell us the date from which you want your benefit to start and why you did not claim at that time. There could be many ‘good reasons’ for not claiming earlier. The following is not a full list, but it will give you an idea of the things we think about.

You may have been unable to claim because:

• You were ill
• You were in hospital
• You had a family crisis
• You were unavoidably away from home

You thought you did not need to claim

Please tell us why.

You were advised not to claim

Please tell us who advised you.

You thought you were not allowed to claim

Or, you thought you would not get benefit - please tell us why.

If you would like your benefit backdated, please write to the Benefits Section.

What happens next?

We will look at the reasons that you didn't make a claim earlier. When we have made a decision, we will contact you. If we refuse your request, you can ask us to look at it again or make an appeal.

Help and advice

If you need any advice, or help to fill in the form, please contact us. You can use the link on the left for our contact details. If you are elderly or disabled we can arrange to visit you at home