Housing Benefit
Your benefit will normally start from either the date you moved in to your property or the Monday after we get your completed claim form.
If you or your partner of pension credit age, we can automatically backdate your claim for up to three months from the date you apply, providing your circumstances mean you would have qualified earlier.
If you are of working age you can ask for your claim to be backdated for up to 1 month. You must ask for this in writing and have good reason for not having made a claim before. If you did not apply because you were ill, a letter from your doctor would help to support your request.
You must tell us as soon as possible if you want your claim backdating. There is space on the online form for you to ask to have your claim backdated and give your reasons. If you have already sent in your form and decide afterwards that you want to ask for your benefit to be backdated, you can send in a letter asking for this and giving your reasons.
Council Tax Reduction
People of pension credit age
Your Council Tax Reduction claim will normally start from either the date you moved in to your property or the Monday after we get your completed claim form.
If you or your partner are of pension credit age, we can automatically backdate your claim for up to three months from the date you apply, providing your circumstances mean you would have qualified earlier.
People of working age
Your Council Tax Reduction claim will normally start from either the date you moved in to your property or the Monday after we get your completed form.
We are unable to accept backdate requests for Council Tax Reduction claims if you are of working age.