Will my claim be backdated?

Housing Benefit usually starts from the Monday after the date we receive a claim. There are a few exceptions to this. If you've claimed benefit, but think you should have done this from an earlier date, you'll need to write to us asking us to backdate your claim. You'll need to give a good reason why your claim is late. This is known as 'good cause' and must be continuous for the period you want benefit backdated.

Each backdating claim is considered on individual circumstances:

• We'll consider other things which may have affected your ability to claim such as your age, health and other circumstances
• 
  Housing Benefit can only be backdated for up to 1 month.

If you wish to request a backdate for a claim you have made, please email us. Be sure to provide as many details as possible to assist us with dealing with your request.