Backdated council tax benefit claim

Where a benefit claimant makes a request to have his/her claim backdated and can show that he/she had continuous good cause for not claiming earlier it is possible to backdate their claim:

A claim can be backdated for up to one month.

A request for backdated benefit should be made at the same time as a new claim.

It is often necessary to provide evidence to support the reasons given for the late claim.

What is meant by good cause?

This is something that would stop a person making a claim on time. The reasons will vary according to the claimant’s particular situation. An example might be a delay due to someone being in hospital and having no one to help them make a claim on time.

Failing to claim on time through carelessness or indifference would not be considered good cause.

There can be more than one reason why a claim was made late and claimants are encouraged to provide as much information as possible to explain their particular circumstances. Reasons must cover the whole period up to the date the backdate request is actually made.

Fill in an online claim

You will need to:

• decide the date you want your benefit(s) to start from
• give reasons to cover the period that you are claiming for
• provide a full name and address of anyone helping you complete the form
• complete all sections marked with an * before you can successfully submit your backdated benefit claim online

What happens next

Your backdated benefit claim will be treated as being received on the date you first submit it online. However, the benefit rules still require you to sign your claim before we can look at it.

When we receive your claim online, we will make two printed copies of it. Both copies will then be sent to you by post within seven days. You will need to check the details that you have supplied, and sign and return one copy to the benefits service. You should also send any supporting evidence with this copy.

Once we have your signed backdated benefit claim, we will look at it within 14 days or as soon as reasonably practicable. If we still need more information, we will write to you.

If things go wrong

If you have not heard from us within 14 days of submitting your backdated benefit claim online, please telephone your area benefits office for advice.

Further information

Download a new claim form