You must have a valid claim for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit before backdating can be considered.

The request for backdating must be made in writing giving the reasons why the claim was not made earlier and stating the date from which you wish to claim benefit. A claim can only be backdated for a maximum of 52 weeks before the date of the request for the backdating of the claim.

The claim will be backdated if there was "good cause" for not claiming earlier and that "good cause" lasted for the whole of the period until the claim was made. It is your, or your appointee if you have one, responsibility to prove the "good cause".

"Good cause" in this context is where a reasonable person of your age, health and experience would have acted in the way that you did.

The following are some examples of the circumstances which might result in the backdating of your claim:

1. First ever claim for Housing or Council Tax Benefit where because of your particular circumstances you could not have been expected to know the correct procedures.

2. Mental health or substance abuse problems.

3. Involved with Social Services due to domestic violence, children at risk or inability to cope.

4. Young and vulnerable.

5. Elderly and mentally confused.

6. Unable to read or write.

7. Serious illness up to the date of claim.

8. Recent bereavement.

Claim by Appointee

It is your responsibility to claim unless you have an appointee. Once appointed it is the appointee who has to show good cause for not making and earlier claim.