We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Backdating housing benefit

Ok I shouldn't get involved with friends problems for my own sake but a friend has lived here 6 months who has mental health problems (previously sectioned) he applied a few times in past but had issues both with his mental health and the fact he had zero income for 4 months outside his employer sending him like £100 sick pay a month (or relatives as I think did instead)

That on top of him just blanking the world and physical health problems meant his claims kept on closing due to not having information on time.

Past 2 months he has been improving, working part time and got his benefit claim opened as of start of August, but that still leaves almost 4 months to the day of money he needs, and even worse the months he didn't claim his flatmate had to pay £50 a month on top of his own CT so he technically owes his flatmate about £700 at this point and his first benefit payment is £130 and 2 days before next months rents due!

So we were wondering what actually happens, been told different thinks by different people, some say backdating can only be awarded 4 weeks but another said thats for a normal claim, and it can be backdated months if due to extreme circumstances.

One says friend has to appeal the decision of normal payment rather than specifically ask for backdating.

Comments

  • dekaspace
    dekaspace Posts: 5,705 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Actually found link on council website which should confuse matters more, it says 1 month if working 6 months if on benefits like JSA/ESA well he did apply for them but they kept losing sick note so if he appeals not sure as he did get awarded one payment of ESA in June but no more.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.