Income Support Appeal ?

mikeb1

Hi
I am a full time carer,and only recently found out I should be getting income support also,but when I asked the dss to back date the claim,the refused in a rather vague letter,
I have heard that I can claim back 3 months,but asked the dss for longer,maybe that`s how they refused,can anyone tell me if I claim back 3 months will I be successful ?
and is there any templates or tips that I can use ?

T.I.A.
Mike.

dmg24

Ignorance as to your entitlement is not sufficient grounds for backdating. Unless you have other reasons, your backdating claim will not be successful.

Bryando

They're will be no doubt ways to claim back the three months. As said: ''unless you have other reasons'' (dmg24)

mikeb1

any ideas of other reasons I can use,maybe in a P.M. ?

MIKE.

dmg24

Your reasons must be genuine. If your only reason was that you were not aware that you could claim, this would not be sufficient.

Were there any other reasons?

gordikin

mikeb1 wrote: »

any ideas of other reasons I can use,maybe in a P.M. ?

MIKE.

...maybe as in 'not telling the truth'? NO!

shjo558

Reason's for backdating would normally be if you were ill or in hospital, you have learning difficulties and and need help etc. You won't normally receive a backdate if you just didn't know you could claim as potential claimants are expected to take reasonable steps to enquire about benefits.

As you are caring for someone I would suggest you appeal the decision explaining that you didn't know you could claim. If you have limited spare time to find out about benefits due to being a carer then mention that too. All you can do is tell the truth. If you want to research backdates online then google "benefits+good+cause" to find DWP staff guidance.

mikeb1

Only reason I genuineley have is I had no idea that I was entitled to income support.
We have worked all our lives hitherto,and don`t have a clue about benefits,I feel they should have mentioned it to me,when I put the claim in for carers.This is no doubt why there was 6 billion pounds unclaimed benefits this year.

mike.

shjo558

mikeb1 wrote: »

Only reason I genuineley have is I had no idea that I was entitled to income support.
We have worked all our lives hitherto,and don`t have a clue about benefits,I feel they should have mentioned it to me,when I put the claim in for carers.This is no doubt why there was 6 billion pounds unclaimed benefits this year.

mike.

Do you still have the letter letting you know about Carer's Allowance - is there any mention of possible entitlement to other benefits on that? If not mention that in your appeal too.

dookar

mikeb1 wrote: »

Only reason I genuineley have is I had no idea that I was entitled to income support.
We have worked all our lives hitherto,and don`t have a clue about benefits,I feel they should have mentioned it to me,when I put the claim in for carers.This is no doubt why there was 6 billion pounds unclaimed benefits this year.

mike.

How did you find out you could claim carer's allowance?

If it was on the new claims line and they did an eligibility check then I would say you have grounds for backdating.

[Deleted User]

The award letter for carers and DLA state you might be entitled to other benefits and lists them. So they would say they did tell you and you didnt claim so would expect 'good reason' to be something along the lines of you was in hospital and could not claim but would want evidence of that!