Benefit - When to claim 

Summary

An explanation of when to claim Housing and Council Tax benefit and how to backdate a benefit claim.

Contact the Money Matters team using the online enquiry form
 

Benefit normally commences from the Monday following receipt of your application form. It is therefore essential that you claim benefit as soon as you need to because benefit cannot normally be backdated.

Your benefit will only be backdated if you can show that there was 'good cause' why you did not make the claim at the correct time. If you require more information on backdating please request the leaflet backdating your claim leaflet. To apply for your Benefit claim to be backdated, please complete the Backdating online form.

If you cease work and start to receive a pension or become unemployed or sick you should apply for benefit straight away, do not delay. You can claim benefit up to 13 weeks in advance of becoming liable to pay Rent or Council Tax.

How to claim?

If you think you may qualify for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit after reading details of how benefit is calculated in this guide you should complete an online application form.  

If you are not sure whether you could get Benefit, you can fill out a form for an instant online Benefits estimate.

External links ... 

Direct gov
Direct Gov
The official government website for citizens.Easy access to the public services you use and the information you need, delivered by the UK government.
Directgov's Benefits and Financial Support page.
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizen's Advice  guide to benefits.
Citizen's Advice Bureau's benefits page

About links to external sites.

Contact us ...

Team:
Money Matters
Telephone:
01473 825798
Minicom/textphone:
01473 825878
Fax:
01473 823594
Address:

Babergh District Council
Corks Lane
Hadleigh
IPSWICH
IP7 6SJ

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Last updated on: 07 October 2011 | Date of next review: 07 October 2012

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