Backdating claims

Find out below if you are able to make a backdated claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit.

What is backdated benefit and how do I claim?

Normally we will start your claim from the Monday after we receive your application form. You can ask for your benefit to be  backdated if there is "good cause" why you didn't apply for your benefit earlier.

If you are aged 60 or over you do not have to provide "good cause", just ask us about backdating.

There is no formal definition of 'good cause', each case will be decided according to its own individual situation. The Government provide guidelines for Councils on what sort of circumstances may be classed as "good cause". Not knowing about Benefits is not by itself considered to be a good reason, as the Government consider that information on Benefits is publicised and that advice on how to claim is available. 

Some examples of when you may have 'good cause' are:

• If you did not immediately claim benefit after leaving hospital.
• If you were ill and had no-one to make a claim on your behalf.
• If you did not understand that you could claim benefit perhaps because of age, inexperience or language difficulties.
• If you have suffered a recent family bereavement.

Please give us as much information as you can about why you didn't claim at the time.

The maximum period that a benefit claim can be backdated is 6 months if you are of working age, or 3 months if you are aged 60+, from the date we receive the backdate request.

You will need to provide evidence of your income and circumstances for the period of your backdating request.

You will need to be entitled to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit for the period concerned and liable to pay rent and/or Council Tax.

If you wish to claim backdated benefit, you can download a form by clicking on the PDF file below:

When you have completed the form, return it to one of the following addresses:

Post:

Benefits, PO Box 3300,
Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton
WV1 1ZT

 

or in person to:

Benefits reception

Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

or

Benefits Reception

Bilston Town Hall
Church Street
Bilston
WV14 0AT

or

Benefits Reception

Council Offices
Alfred Squire Road
Wednesfield
WV11 1XU

If you need help to complete the form, Phone (01902) 551166.