Backdated Housing Benefit payments
We usually award benefit from the Monday after the day we receive your claim. Sometimes we can pay benefit for a limited period before you make your claim.
To be considered for backdating
If you are of working age, to be considered for backdating, you must:
- make a request for backdated Housing Benefit
- have good reason for not making a claim at an earlier date – these reasons must have lasted throughout the whole period that you want us to backdate your claim
Apply for backdating
If you are of working age and you want us to consider backdating your claim, request this when you make your claim for Housing Benefit online.
Alternatively, you can contact us.
Evidence we need
You must provide all of the following:
- your name, address and Housing Benefit Reference Number
- the dates you want us to backdate your claim from
- the reason(s) why you did not make a claim sooner – this must be supported with evidence where applicable, for example hospital admission or discharge letters
- evidence of all of your income and capital for the whole period you are asking us to backdate, for example wage slips and bank statements
We will write to you as soon as we have made a decision.
How much we can backdate a claim
Housing Benefit can be backdated for a maximum of one month if you are of working age.
If you are of pensionable age
If you are of pensionable age you do not need to make a request for backdating. We can treat your claim as if you had sent it to us up to three months earlier than the date that you make your claim. For benefit to be considered for this period:
- you or your partner must have been of pensionable age
- liable to pay rent
- must provide proof of your income and capital during this period