Backdating benefits
Summary
Housing benefit and council tax benefit normally starts from the Monday after your benefit claim form is received by us (see Benefits for people aged 60 and over for specific rules for this age group). However, benefit can be backdated for up to 6 months if there is good cause as to why the claim was not made earlier.
How to apply for backdated benefit payments
- Download and print the Backdating Claim Form (below);
- Complete the form, which asks for:
- the reason(s) why you did not claim earlier, and;
- The period that you want to claim for. - You can either send this to us along with your main benefit claim form or post it separately, to the Benefits Team, Revenues Services at the address below.
Printable forms
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Further information
Examples of continuous good cause
- Death of a close relative;
- Being in hospital or seriously ill;
- Being wrongly advised by a person who should have known better (i.e. Council staff, Citizens Advice Bureau, Department of Working Pensions staff or a social worker), and;
- Language difficulties with the application form.
Please note that simply not applying is not a good reason!
Want to get an idea of how much benefit you are entitled to? Answer the questions in our online benefits calculator to get an estimate. Or, make a benefit claim now.
Related pages on this website
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Benefits Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | benefitsmailbox@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| freephone: | 0808 178 7143 |
| telephone: | 01508 533633 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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