Backdating Claims   

As a general rule, if you are under 60 the start date of entitlement for both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is either:

• the Monday following the date you first contact either the council or the Department of Work and Pensions; or
• the Monday following the start date of your Jobseeker’s Allowance/Income Support (providing you make your claim within the specified time limits); or
• or where you moved into a new property, the date on which you move in (again, providing you make your claim within the specified time limits).

If you are under 60 however, it may be possible in certain circumstances to award benefit from an earlier date. This is called ‘backdating’. You can apply for backdated benefit either by;

• completing section 16 of the Housing and Council Tax Benefit application form; or
• in a separate letter addressed to the Benefits Section.

In order for backdated benefit to be awarded, you must be able to show ‘good cause’ for not making your claim earlier. There is no set definition of good cause, and each claim is looked at on an individual basis.

If you are under 60, backdated can be awarded for a maximum of 6 months from the date your claim for backdated benefit is received.

Please note that backdated benefit does not apply if you are over 60, as your claim will cover the 3 month period prior to you making your claim, providing you were 60 at that time and were liable for rent and/or Council Tax in respect of the address for which you are claiming benefit.