Housing Benefit Backdating Query

GoneSavage

Hello:

I'm wondering if I may be entitled to backdated Housing Benefit. I was in receipt of full Housing Benefit up until the beginning of the summer.

On 31/05/11 the Care component of my DLA was moved from the middle to the lower rate and I lost the Mobility component also. A late appeal was made against this decision however. On 13/10/11 the decision was reversed and the Care component was raised back to the middle rate. These initial changes (coupled with a decision to stop my Income Support on 19/07/11 also), resulted in changes to my housing benefit; I was informed that there would be a weekly rental charge of £8.24 pertaining to my account.

In light of such changes in circumstances, I struggled to make these weekly rental payments due to financial hardship. Furthermore, I suffered a period of ill health, which resulted in me missing several of my art workshop appointments. I highlighted this with my Psychiatrist at my previous appointment.

I visited my local housing department on 17/10/11 and updated them on my new changes in circumstances. The lady informed me that I qualify for full housing benefit again, but she also stated something about backdating the rental payments I made during this summer.

Is this correct? And if so, does this need to be requested in writing, or will the monies automatically be backdated to my bank account?


Best,
GoneSavage

CIS

Is this correct? And if so, does this need to be requested in writing, or will the monies automatically be backdated to my bank account?

Backdating requests need to be made in writing in the vast majority of cases (very few cases result in automatic backdating).

GoneSavage

CIS wrote: »

Backdating requests need to be made in writing in the vast majority of cases (very few cases result in automatic backdating).

And how does this work? ... What are some of the conditions under which the money can be backdated, CIS?

pandaspot

Your dla is known as a relevant benefit this will automatically backdated. Was your IS put back into payment? I take it your hb wasn't actually stopped it just continued but at a lower rate?

GoneSavage

pandaspot wrote: »

Your dla is known as a relevant benefit this will automatically backdated. Was your IS put back into payment? I take it your hb wasn't actually stopped it just continued but at a lower rate?

No, I made a new claim for IS on 13/10/11. I received a letter today requesting my signature.

Yes, that is correct - my HB was simply reduced.

If I recieve IS am I required to write in order to request backdating for this benefit? I called my Welfare Rights Officer today, who stated that the IS should be backdated automatically. Is this correct?

pandaspot

To be honest I don't know about your IS claim, I imagine you will have to request backdating.

With regards the hb when your IS is backdated hb will go back and add the IS from the date it's backdated from meaning you will get full benefit from that date which should result in an underpayment of hb for you.