Back dating Housing Benefit Private shared tenancy

MKF.mob

Hello there I recently moved into a house and claim Housing Benefit too pay my rent to the landlord. My tenancy started 01/08/12 and I was awarded HB from 17/09/12, this left me six weeks rent out of pocket, basically can I petition for a back payment for those weeks worth of rent and considering it is now Decemeber, what is the likelihood of a positive outcome in my favor? It's been bugging me for a month or two and I would really appreciate an answer, I have proof of receipt of the payments made.

Thankyou

[Deleted User]

when did you actually apply for LHA(hb)?

wayne0

you can apply for it to be backdated for one month, provided there is cause for such a backdating, and you can show that there is sufficient reason for not applying sooner.

it is at the councils discretion as to whether they allow it or not... (a simple "I didnt know about housing benefit" might be good enough in some cases)

but sometimes you have to thank your stars that you have an award in place...

also, bear in mind that HB is paid in ARREARS. (for me 4 weekly... 3rd dec - 30th dec = paid on 31st dec (or around then) and could take 3-5 days to appear into your account..)

claims are automatically paid from the monday FOLLOWING the date you apply, but if you are on JSA ETC you could ask that they pay it from the date of application, just to the prescribed benefit payment... ETC.