Can contributions ESA be backdated more than 3 months?

GettingBy_2

I have been sick for a year. Recently I contacted the benefits office for the first time and was informed I am to get contributions based ESA. They said I could have it back dated 3 months, but not backed dated as far back as when my SSP ended, because I didn’t claim sooner. Due to Depression I was in no fit state to contact the benefits office sooner. Also due to my partner’s income, I did not realise that I would be entitled to any benefit. My employer failed to supply form SSP1 when my SSP ended, but has done now as the benefits office have asked for it. Please can anyone provide information on if contributions ESA back claims can be backdated to when my SSP finished, which is more than 3 months ago?

Thanks for any help on this :cool:

NASA_2

You can ask for it to be backdated but it is highly unlikely to be succesful. Ignorance of a rule is not good cause - if they had told you that you were not entitled to ESA then there would be a point to argue.

stazi

Sorry, but the 3 months late claim time limit for most benefits is absolute. Any appeal on this point would also be unlikly to be heard by an Appeals Tribunal.

jaffacakes82

The DWP will only back date your benefit 3 months from the date of your claim, providing you send them a sick certificate covering that time. I had a benefit claim back dated over a year once, but that was before the 3 month rule started.

GettingBy_2

Thanks for the info. :cool: