What is Backdating?

Backdated benefit is Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit paid for a period of time before we received your claim form.

For example:

• We receive your claim form on Friday, 20 January 2006 so we pay benefit from Monday, 23 January 2006
• You asked for backdated benefit from Saturday, 7 January 2006, we agree to pay backdated benefit from Monday, 9 January 2006.

(Note that benefit is usually paid from the following Monday)

How far can we backdate your Claim?

We can backdate your claim up to 52 weeks before the date you asked for a backdate.  This means that if your benefit starts on 23 January 2006 and you asked for a backdate on the same day, your claim can be backdated from 24 January 2005.

How do we decide whether to backdate or not?

You have to show that you had a continuous good cause or reason for not claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit at the time. The good cause for not claiming at the time must have lasted for the whole time you ask us to backdate your claim.

What is good cause?

There could be one or more reasons why you were unable to claim.  There is a list of questions further down this page that may help you.  Here are some examples of common causes for claiming late:

• You have been seriously ill or in hospital
• You have been out of the country for a long time and did not know you could claim
• You have problems with English and no-one to help you claim
• You were given wrong advice at the Jobcentre Plus

Reasons such as these could help you get backdated benefit, BUT we have to look at each claim on its own merit and take everything into consideration.

How will I know if my claim is backdated?

We will write to you when we have decided whether or not to backdate your claim.  If we do backdate your claim, the letter will tell you the date we are backdating to, how much benefit you will get, and how it will be paid.  If we do not backdate your claim, the letter will tell you why not and what you can do if you are not happy with our decision.

Questions to ask yourself before requesting backdating of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit

• Have you claimed Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit before?
• Have you ever heard of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit before?
• Have you claimed other benefits here or abroad before?
• Have you recently come to this country for the first time?
• Have you been in long-term care until recently (eg: hospital)

• Did you wait to hear about a claim for another benefit before claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit?
• Did you wait for other information to back up your claim before claiming?
• Was there a reason why you thought you did not have to claim?
• Did you not claim before because you were expecting money from elsewhere?
• Are you a school-leaver and unaware of the benefits system?
• Do you have problems with speaking, reading or writing English?

• Did you know that the Council has staff who can interpret other languages?
• Did you suffer any physical or medical condition which stopped you claiming?
• Were you absent from home due to fear of domestic violence?
• Were you absent from home due to problems with the building?
• Do you have problems getting your post?

• Have you been in custody before making a claim?
• Did your late partner deal with all your financial affairs?
• Did you know of anyone who could seek advice or claim on your behalf?
• Did you have an appointee, but there was a good reason why they could not claim for you (such as being in hospital at the time)?
• Did you seek advice about claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit?

• Did you make contact with the Council or the Jobcentre Plus (DSS)?
• Had you been turned down for benefit in the past?
• Did an official advise you not to claim at the time?
• Did you have contact with people who could help, such as Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureau, Neighbourhood Housing Offices, etc?

When customers ask for back dated benefit we aim to speak to them personally and ask these sorts of questions, so you have the chance to show that there was good cause or reason why you did not claim benefit earlier.

You can make an appointment with one of our officers by calling at our Customer Services Centre at the Town Hall, High Street, Skipton, BD23 1AH, or by telephoning 01756 706288. (Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes).