Backdating
Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit can be backdated for
a period up to 52 weeks from the date of request and for a
period not previously applied for. However the claimant must prove
that there was a good reason why they did not apply for benefit at
the time in order for it to be awarded. Furthermore, you must prove
that the reason for not claiming, continued throughout this period.
Some examples of good reasons are:
- The claimant was too ill to make a claim and no-one was
available to make the claim on their behalf.
- The claimant did not understand that they could claim either
because of age, language difficulties, difficulty in
understanding technical documents or some other reasons.
- The claimant was wrongly advised that they were not entitled to
Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit
- The claimant was unable to manage their own affairs and did not
have an appointee.
Appeals
If you think the decision we have made is wrong you will
need to write to us and
'appeal' against the decision.
Q. What happens next?
The appeals officer will look at your assessment and either
revise the decision and reassess your benefit or write and
confirm that there will be no change in the decision, give
reasons and explain how the rules apply to your case.
If the appeals officer cannot revise the decision to your
advantage, a submission will be prepared and we will
send your appeal to the Appeals Tribunal which is operated
independently through The Appeals Service.
Q. Who can help me with my
appeal?
The following can offer independent advice:
Richmond Citizens Advice Bureau
Telephone: 01748 823978
Hambleton & Richmondshire Advocacy
Telephone: 01748 850085
For more information, telephone 01748 829100
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