The information on this page is presented in the format of frequently asked questions. Please click a question from the index below to see the appropriate answer.
Can my claim for Housing Benefits be backdated?
It's possible to claim backdated housing benefit. The rules are different depending on your age:
If you are under 60 years, you can claim backdated benefit for a maximum of 6 months from the date we get your request. This is only if you can prove you had continuous good cause for failing to apply for benefit on time.
Your request for backdated benefit must be in writing and you must give evidence in support of anything you are relying on.
If you apply for housing benefit and are over 60, we will automatically consider whether you qualify for backdated benefit. You will not need to prove a ‘good cause’ for failing to apply on time.
Your benefit will be backdated for 3 months maximum from the date your entitlement starts.
If you recently turned 60, we can only backdate to the date you became 60. Or if your circumstances recently changed, we can only backdate from the date you became entitled to benefit.
Please ring our helpline on 01753 475111 for further advice.
Local Housing Allowance is a new way of working out new claims for Housing Benefit for tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord in Slough and nationally. It also affects tenants already getting Housing Benefit who move into accommodation rented from a private landlord. Local Housing Allowance is being introduced on 7 April, 2008. If you live in council accommodation or other social housing, Local Housing Allowance will not affect you.
Therefore, if you are renting privately a claim for backdating may be affected depending on whether you have asked for your claim to be backdated to a date before 7 April 2008.
If we have decided to backdate your claim to before 7 April 2008, we will class the date you claim as being before the Local Housing Allowance regulations came into force. As a result, your maximum Housing Benefit will depend on what the Rent Officer decides. You will only change to Local Housing Allowance when you move or if you stop claiming and then start again.
If you ask for your claim to be backdated to a date after 7 April 2008 and we agree to do this, your Local Housing Allowance rate will be based on the figures that apply for the month you have asked your claim to start from. This may be different to the figures for the month you have claimed in. We will review your Local Housing Allowance rate on the anniversary of the start of your claim.
For all enquiries please contact the Customer Service Centre
01753 475111
01753 875030
MyCouncil
Landmark Place
High Street, Slough
SL1 1JL, opposite
Slough Library
MyCouncil opening times.
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