Backdating your benefit

This section tells you how to apply to get your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit claim backdated.

When can my benefit be backdated?

We normally pay benefit from the Monday after we receive your claim form. It may be possible to backdate your claim for up to 52 weeks prior to the date you request it, if you can show good reason why you did not make a claim earlier. There could be many ‘good reasons’ for not claiming earlier. This 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

Last Updated: 07 August 06,
Review Date: 20 September 2005