Backdated benefit claims
Benefit is normally paid from the Monday following the date of claim. Backdated benefit is benefit paid to you for a period in the past when you were unable to claim because of certain personal circumstances.
If you want your benefit to be paid from an earlier date you must have good reason for not making a claim sooner. For example, if you:
- were given the wrong advice by a council officer
- were incapacitated
- suffered a bereavement
- were unable to manage your own affairs and didn't have an 'appointee'
- have language or reading difficulties and had no one to make the claim on your behalf
Make a backdated claim
How you make a backdated claim depends on if you are working or pension age.
If you're of working age, your benefit can be backdated up to one month from your date of request.
A request can be made using our:
You can also make a request by letter to us.
Your request must explain why you didn't make a claim sooner. You must give us official supporting evidence, for example a doctor's letter, if you were ill.
If you're of pension age, your benefit can be backdated up to three months before the date of your claim.
We will automatically look at whether your claim should be backdated as part of our claim process. You don't need to do anything. We may ask for additional supporting evidence.
If you have an active claim and you would like to raise a backdate request you can use the backdate request form within 30 days from your date of claim:
When you submit a Backdate request we may get in touch to request evidence to support your claim. This must be provided otherwise your benefit entitlement may end.
Next stages
We'll make a decision to grant or refuse your request using:
- the information you provided
- any facts we have to support your claim
We'll send you a letter explaining reasons for our decision. If we refuse to backdate your claim we'll tell you about rights of appeal.
Contact
Address: North Ayrshire Council, Benefits Section, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE