Backdating Your Claim
Should your application for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit
be successful, your entitlement will usually commence from the
Monday after you first asked us for an application. However,
in some circumstances, your entitlement may commence from an
earlier or later date.
If you would like us to consider your entitlement from a date prior
to when you first requested an application form, you can submit a
formal written request for a backdated award of Housing and/or
Council Tax Benefit - up to a maximum potential backdated period of
6 months prior to the date of written request.
How to Request Backdated Housing and Council Tax Benefit
A request for Backdated Housing and Council Tax Benefit must be
made in writing. This request is normally, but does not have
to be, made when you apply for Housing and Council Tax
Benefit.
Your application form contains a section which allows you to
request a Backdated award. You must clearly state the date
that you wish for your entitlement to be considered from and you
must state clearly your reasons why you did not claim
sooner.
If you have already submitted an application for Housing and
Council Tax Benefit, but you would now like us to consider your
entitlement from an earlier date, you can submit a written request
for this. Again, you must clearly state the date that you
wish for your entitlement to be considered from and you must state
clearly your reasons why you did not claim sooner.
With all written requests, we will require to see documentary
evidence to support the reasons why you did not claim sooner.
Remember - a backdated award of Housing and/or Council Tax
Benefit can only be granted for a maximum of 6
months prior to written request being received in our
office.
Aged 60 or Over?
If you are aged 60 or over, your
entitlement may commence from an earlier date - without
the need for requesting a backdated award.
Further Information, Advice and Assistance
Further
information, advice and assistance is available regarding
any aspect of Housing or Council Tax Benefits or other Government
Welfare Initiatives.
This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it
administers, and to this end may use the information you have
provided for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also
share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing
or administering public funds for these purposes. For further
information see the section of this website explaining issues around Data Protection, or
contact Perth & Kinross Council's Information Compliance
Manager by phoning 01738 477930.
