Backdating your claim

How long can my benefit be backdated?

The length of time your benefit can be backdated depends on your age.

Working age

Council Tax Reduction

If you are of working age, Council Tax Reduction may be backdated for a maximum of 12 months. This is provided you are entitled to a reduction for that period.

You must make a request for backdating. This can be made when you make your claim or at a later date. The time limit applies from the date the request for backdating was made.

For us to work out how much reduction you are entitled to, you need to give us proof of your income and savings for the period you want to claim.

Housing Benefit

If you are of working age, benefit may be backdated for a maximum of 1 month.

You must make a request for backdating, this may be when you make your claim or at a later date. The time limit applies from the date the request for backdating was made.

You must have a good reason for the delay in making your claim. We must be satisfied that any person of the same age, health and experiences as you would also have failed to claim benefit from the earlier date. Your reason for delay should apply to the full time period you are asking for your claim to be backdated.

Examples of reasons that may be accepted are:

you were in hospital
you had severe health problems
a close relative died

Pension age

If you have reached pension age, benefit may be backdated for a maximum of 3 months.

This is provided you are entitled to benefit for that period. If you receive Pension Credit, the 3-month limit applies from the date you made a claim for Pension Credit.

For us to work out how much benefit you are entitled to, you need to give us proof of your income, savings and rent for the period you want to claim.

You do not need to make a request and we do not need to know why you did not claim sooner to backdate your benefit.

How to apply for a backdated benefit

If you have already been notified of your entitlement, you can apply for a backdated benefit.

You will need your claim reference number and to download, save and complete our backdate your claim PDF form.

Request to backdate your claim for benefit form (PDF, 106 KB)

You should tell us the date that you would like your claim to be backdated to and give as much detail as possible about why you delayed claiming benefit.

You then need to use our benefits general form to upload your completed PDF and submit your request.

Submit your backdate request

What happens next?

Once we have looked at your request and made any enquiries needed, we will decide if your claim can be backdated. We will write to you to advise when your benefit can be paid from. If we decide we cannot backdate your claim we will tell you what further action you can take.