What is backdated housing benefit?
We normally pay benefit from the Monday after we receive your claim form. On certain occasions, we can pay you housing benefit for a period before you made your claim. This is called backdated benefit.
If you are of pension age:
We can backdate Housing Benefit up to a maximum of 3 months.
You do not have to demonstrate ‘good cause’. Just tell us the date that you would like us to consider backdating from.
If you are of working age:
We can backdate housing benefit up to a maximum of 1 month. We can only backdate your benefit if:
- you demonstrate ‘good cause’ for not making a claim for benefit earlier, and;
- your good cause lasted throughout the period until your written request for backdating was actually made