Can my claim be backdated?

Under age 60

You can ask for your claim for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit to be backdated for up to 6 months from the date you make the request.

It is important that when you consider requesting a backdate you are able to answer yes to the following questions:-

• You had a good reason for not claiming earlier
• That reason continued to stop you claiming from the date you are requesting the claim to start from to the date you actually made the claim.

The request must be in writing stating the following:-

• The period you wish your claim to be backdated
• Good reasons for failing to make a claim at the correct time – you may be asked to supply supporting evidence of this

The Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form has a question asking if you wish to have your claim backdated and space to provide the above information.

Over age 60

The rules governing the start dates on claims are such that in most cases a backdate request is not required please contact us for guidance if you think you need to have your claim backdated.