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

How you make a backdated claim depends on if you are working or pension age.

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.