Claims

If you make a claim for Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, you should state that you wish to claim Housing/Council Tax Benefit. The Department of Works and Pensions will send a copy of your claim form to the council.

If you are not claiming one of the Benefits named above, you should contact the council or complete an on-line application form as soon as possible.

When you apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit, your benefit will normally be worked out from the Monday after we receive your claim.

Backdating Rules

If you have reach Pension Age (this will depend of your date of birth), your benefit claim maybe automatically paid 3 months prior to the date we receive your claim. see external link to calculate the date you will reach Pension age

If are under Pension Age, we may be able to back date your claim up to 6 months from the date you request backdated payments, if you have shown good cause for not applying earlier.

Claims for backdated benefit can only be made where there is good reason for not applying at an earlier date and where that reason lasts for the whole period claimed. Please note that the following do not amount to good reason: