13 week housing benefit back pay

Pinky87

Hi, i havent been working for the last 12 month but just lived off the working taxcredit anyway in on the 2nd march i went into my local housing benefit office and asked to speak to an advisor about help with my rent and council tax. I told her i was unemployed and was trying to find a job she asked what benefits i claim i informed her i got working taxcredit and childbenefit but i was not working. She told me i was unable to claim as i didnt claim unemployment benefit and was unable prove my income. On 11 may I made a claim for jsa and told working taxcredit that i ad been claiming a year and wasnt working and am sorting out paying all money back and i made a claim for housing benefit. I have recently seen someone from housing advice as i am in debt with landlord and council tax and explained everything and she said i should be backdated 13 weeks. can anyone advise if i am entitled to claim to be backdated? thanks

Robbie64

Housing Benefit can be backdated for 6 months but you have to show 'good cause' for not having claimed earlier.

see http://www.winchester.gov.uk/ShowForm.asp?fm_fid=121 for examples of what can be considered 'good cause'

If aged 60+ (which won't apply to you!) then backdating is for 3 months but good cause does not have to be shown.

briggy

If you provide proof that you were given wrong advice i.e. that you could not claim your date of claim should be 2 March 2010. Were you given a receipt or proof of your visit?