Can I get income support back pay?

Wicked_witch

I've been recieving Carer's Allowance for my husband since October of last year. We've been struggling for money, but who hasnt ? A thread on the Disability and Dosh thread very recently clued me in that I might be entitled to Income Support- about £20 a week according to entitledto, but the claim hasn't been fully processed yet due to a system fault, so could be a different amount.

I spoke to an advisor on friday, as it had been more than two weeks since the claim was made and asked about the possibility of backdating it- probably not all the way back to Oct 2009, but at least for a few months. The reason I feel this is reasonable is that I have been in touch with the CA dept, the Incapacity Benefit Dept and DLA since becoming a carer (as well as with HB and CTB and Tax Credits) and none of them made even the vaguest mention of me possibly being entitled.

However, she stated that the fact I wasn't told about this by any of the people who should have suggested it (imo, anyway) is not a good enough reason for it to be backdated. Can anyone give me any guidance about anything (truthful!) I can put on the backdating form that might be successful? How I can word it etc...

Thanks.

Vader123

Ignorance of entitlement is no reason for backdating. You usually need to prove you have been told you can't apply.

Vader

NASA_2

The claim form says the following:

Getting Carer’s Allowance may mean you can get:

❉ income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
❉ Income Support
❉ income-related Employment and Support Allowance
❉ Pension Credit
❉ Housing Benefit
❉ Council Tax Benefit.

You really have no case whatsoever.

Wicked_witch

Thanks, won't waste their time claiming then :beer: