Unclaimed benefits after death.

Lurchet

My father has just past away and in winding up his estate it appears that for the last five years or so he would have been elligible for council tax and housing benefits but being a proud man he never claimed them. My question is can what is in effect an overpayment of both for these past years be claimed back retrospctively to be put back into his estate?

Many thanks

k

tanith

I would seriously doubt it..he may of been eligible but chose not to claim , thats the end of that..

cabbage

No I don't think you can claim, most claims can only be backdated usually 3 months and occasionally 6 months (off the top of my head) and you have to show good cause for not claiming. Being too proud or not knowing they exist is not good cause I'm afraid.

Lurchet

Thanks, you have confirmed what I thought.

K