Housing benefit - backdated claims
Overview
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support is normally paid from the Monday after we receive your claim.
If there has been a good reason why you could not complete or get your form to us sooner, then you can ask for your claim to be 'backdated' to an earlier date.
Time limits
There are limits as to how far back we can go and these time limits start from when we receive your request for backdated benefit.
Backdating - Housing Benefit - Working Age
With effect from 1 April 2016, the maximum period for which Housing Benefit claims may be backdated for working age claimants reduces from six months to one month. This applies to all backdating requests made on or after 1 April 2016. Housing Benefit cannot be backdated for more than one month if the claimant makes their request on or after 1 April 2016 even if this is a belated request linked to a current claim.
Backdating - Housing Benefit - Pension Age claimants - no change
Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit will retain the three months automatic backdating (not actually backdating).
No changes to Good cause
The good cause provisions have not changed. Working age claimants will still need to demonstrate good cause throughout the period for which they are requesting backdating.
Backdating - Council Tax Support - Working Age
With effect from 1 April 2019, the maximum period for which Council Tax Support claims may be backdated for working age claimants, has increased to three months. This applies to all backdating requests made on or after 1 April 2019.
Backdating – Council Tax Support - Pension Age – no change
There is no change. Claimants who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit will retain the three months automatic backdating (not actually backdating).
No changes to good cause
The good cause provisions have not changed. Working age claimants will still need to demonstrate good cause throughout the period for which they are requesting backdating.
| Scheme | Case Type | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Tax Support | Working Age | 3 months | Good Cause Needed |
| Council Tax Support | Pension Age | 3 months | Automatic |
| Housing Benefit | Working Age | 1 month | Good Cause Needed |
| Housing Benefit | Pension Age | 3 months | Automatic |
What is a good reason for not applying sooner?
You need to have a good reason for not claiming at the right time; we call this having or showing 'good cause'.
Thinking that you may not be entitled to benefit or not knowing that you could claim are not normally good reasons for us to be able to backdate your claim.
What is a good reason?
Good reasons include:
- being too ill to claim
- not knowing about recent changes in the rules and regulations
- bereavement
- problems with postal services
- not being given the correct information by an official body or service such as an advice centre
- having to rely on others to deal with your affairs due to a disability, your age or because of your health.
These are just some common examples of what is a good reason. If you think you should get backdated benefit but your circumstances are not listed, please contact us for more information or make a claim for backdating.
Do I need a good reason for the whole period?
Yes, you must show that you had a good reason for the whole period that you are asking us to backdate. If you only have a good reason for part of the time then we will only look at this period.
How do I apply for my claim to be backdated?
If you are sending in a paper application for Housing Benefit and Council Support, please complete the backdating section of the application form.
If you have already registered your email address with Derby Benefits, you can email us asking for your claim to be backdated. You can register your email address on your application form or other signed correspondence. Alternatively, you can call Derby Benefits on 01332 640000.
If you email us, we will need:
- your name address and reference number
- the dates you want us to backdate your claim from and to
- the reasons why you could not apply sooner
- details of your income and capital for the period you are asking us to backdate.
If you have any proof to confirm your reasons for making a late claim, please send them to us. Examples of this could be proof of hospital admission and discharge dates.
What happens next?
If we need more information then we will write to you to let you know what we want and the date you need to provide it by.
We will write to you when we have made a decision.