What is ‘backdated’ Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
We usually pay Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit from the Monday after we receive your claim form, but in some circumstances we can pay you from an earlier date.
We can ‘backdate’ your claim for up to 52 weeks, from the date you ask us, if you had good reasons or ‘good cause’ for not claiming from the earlier date.
What do you mean by ‘good cause’
The following list shows examples of what we mean by ‘good cause’.
You were too ill to claim and could not ask someone to help you.
You received wrong advice from Revenue Services, the Jobcentre, the Department for Work and Pensions or an advice agency.
Due to your personal circumstances, you did not understand or realise that you were able to make a claim.
Something prevented you from making a claim, for example, you were not able to manage your affairs and did not have someone to help you at that time.
If you are not sure whether or not you have ‘good cause’, you should ask us for advice as soon as possible.
How do I claim backdating?
You will need to put your request in writing. You can fill in the backdating request section on our Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit application form, or write to us.
You must provide:
the date you want us to backdate your benefit from;
your reasons for not applying at the right time (‘good cause’);
evidence of your income and savings for the backdated period; and
evidence of why you couldn’t claim earlier, for example, a letter from your GP.
If you cannot provide evidence or are not sure what we need, you must ask us for advice.
How do you let me know the outcome?
We will let you know the outcome of your backdated claim in writing. If we decide that your claim is not successful, you can ask us to explain our decision, ask us to reconsider our decision or appeal against our decision. If you decide to appeal, you must do this within one month of the date we write to you. Please see our decisions, appeals and disputes leaflet, or contact us if you need more advice.
Special rules for people over 60
If you or your partner are aged over 60, and you claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit (or both), we will automatically consider your claim from either:
12 months before the date we receive your claim, but only back to you or your partner’s 60th birthday; or
the date you become responsible for paying rent or Council Tax, if this is later.
If you want to claim backdated Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit now, please put your request in writing and send it to us at:
Revenue Services
PO Box 355
Hounslow
TW3 4PJ.
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Revenues Services offices:
The Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
St Catherine’s House
2 Hanworth Road
Feltham
Chiswick Town Hall
Heathfield Terrace
Chiswick
All of our offices are open from 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8.45am to 4.45pm on Fridays.
Phone: 020 8583 4242
Phone lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8.45am to 4.45pm on Fridays.