HB Backdating???

dlb

Does anyone know the rules over HB backdating?
I have just put a claim in for both HB & CTB and have request a 6 month backdate as that is what i belived to be the most i could backdate with good cause for not claiming sooner? Is this correct?
Also what will they class as good reason for not claiming sooner?

I have sent a letter in with my claim explaining that my husband has had to drop his working hours from full-time to part time due to medical reason, but that 2.5 yrs ago i tried to claim and didnt qualify...i have found out whilst filling in this claim that child benifit and child maintaince payments are no no longer taken into account and havent been for a while..so when i used the online benifit checker i belive if the figures on there are right that for the past year at least i have qualified for full rebate before my husband even had to drop his hours at work.

Anyone know if they will see this a good reason? I did state in letter that the new changes were not well publisised hence why i didnt claim as my income hadnt gone up or down since the last time i tried to claim.
Thanks In advance

pandaspot

Hi

You are right you are allowed to requesting backdating for six months

However I do not feel that good cause is shown by stating that the child benefit and child maintenance disregard was not advertised alot.
Unfortunately it's said the claimant should make every effort to find out what they entitled to.

However that is my opinion and not of the assessor who would be dealing with your claim. I personally would not grant it with those reasons. I am a housing/council tax benefit assessor.

If you are turned down for backdating then you can appeal the decision and it will be reconsidered

Good luck

dlb

Thanks Pandaspot........there was more detail in letter...the fact that when i tried to claim 2.5 yrs ago the lady at the office did a rough over the phone assesment and when i had told her my income stated i wouldnt qualify so never sent me a form out and because of this information i never pursed the matter as belived what i had been told ( which at the time would have been the right information) But my point was that why then would i even consider trying to reclaim when our income details have never changed over the last 2 .5 yrs until recently when my husband has been forced to drop his working hours due to ill health, i thought i had checked the hb intitlement and had no reason to belive any changes had been made as nothing was adverised or stated when new council tax bills ect were issued...i just belived that because my finacial circumstaces hadnt change i would still not be intitled.
Im so worried as have had a seeking notice of possesion order served on the house 3 weeks ago and now hubbys hours are only 23 a week....and now know why we have been struggling to pay £90 a week rent and £127 a month ct. Thanks for your help

pandaspot

I totally understand what you are saying, hopefully the assessor dealing with it will grant it. It's not like you are dealing with social security benefits on a daily basis. Just make sure if it is turned down you appeal the decision

dlb

Just wanted to say thank you to Pandaspot for your replys.

Phoned this morning and the backdating has been approved back to beginning of August.

It has only taken 10 days from handing in form to getting it sorted, i did provide as much information as possible and more than they asked for including letters explaining in detail about our situation.

If anyone out there thinks they maybe intitled please try and claim and get it backdated if you think it applys to yourself, if you dont ask you wont get, im so glad i did.