Backdating
Can I claim backdating on my Housing
or Council Tax Benefit claim?
A Housing or Council Tax
Benefit claim will normally start from the Monday following
the date of first contact with a designated office, these are
our Council Offices, Department of Work and Pensions and some local
housing services.
However, in certain circumstances it
is possible that your benefit can be awarded for an earlier
period, this is what is called backdated
benefit.
For anyone under the
State Pension age the maximum period for which a claim can
be backdated is 6 months from the date in which the
request is made.
For anyone over
the State Pension age we can treat
the claim as being made up to 3 months earlier.
To be considered for Backdated
benefit, there has to be what is known as good
cause. The local authority must be satisfied with the
reasons for the delay in making your claim. Each claim for
backdating benefit is decided on their own merits. Here are some
examples of good cause:
- If you were ill and had
no one to make a claim on your behalf
- If you did not
immediately claim (or reclaim) HB/CTB after a stay in hospital
- If you were wrongly
advised by an official person that you were not entitled to
HB/CTB
- If you could not have
reasonably been expected to know, for example: where there may have
been a change in the law.
- If you are unable to
manage your own affairs and do not have an appointee
How do I request backdating benefit?
- You can complete the section
(Backdating) on your Housing or Council Tax Benefit
application form.
- You can write to us confirming
the date you wish your claim to
be backdated from and confirm the reasons for the
delay in making your original claim.
- Alternatively, you can complete a backdated
benefit application form, Backdating Application
Form (doc)
- You can request a backdating form online,
Request a Backdating Benefit Form from our
Online Facility
What information do I need to
provide?
To be able to make an assessment on the period you have
requested backdating benefit, you will need to
provide proof of your income and capital for that period.
Without these details an assessment cannot be made and you may lose
out on benefit, for further information see
proof required to submit a claim.
Contacts
| Benefit
Enquiries
|
Revenues &
Benefits |
| Telephone: (01902) 696668 |
South Staffordshire Council |
| Fax: (01902) 696630 |
P.O. Box 1644 |
| Email: benefits@sstaffs.gov.uk |
Wolverhampton |
| |
WV8 1ZF |
For information leaflets on Housing and Council Tax Benefits
visit the National Benefits Leaflet website at www.benefit-leaflets.org/leaflets.asp
LGSL No: 68