What is Backdated Benefit?

Backdated benefit is Housing or Council Tax Benefit awarded to you for a period of time before your normal entitlement begins.  (Normally entitlement begins on the Monday after we receive your Benefit application form).

At the time of claiming you can submit a request for your benefit to start from an earlier date.  This is backdated benefit.

In order to be granted an award you will have to show that there was 'good cause' for you not making your claim throughout the period in question.

While every case will be judged on its own merits the following list gives examples of the types of reason which may be considered to show 'good cause.'

• If you are suffering or were suffering from serious ill-health at the time (confirmation for this will be required from a doctor)
• If you did not understand that you could claim because of age or language difficulties
• If there had been a major change in the Benefit rules of which you could not have been aware
• If you cannot manage your own affairs
• If you have recently suffered a bereavement
• If you were wrongly advised by another agency or official body

There is a page on which to make a request for backdated benefit on the back of your application form.

Alternately, you can download and print the form below.

Backdate Request Form (PDF Version)

Please return your completed form to:

The Benefits Section
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council 
The Parade
Epsom
Surrey
KT18 5BY 

Further Information

Telephone: 01372 732269
email: benefits@epsom-ewell.gov.uk