Benefit - When to claim 

Contact the Benefits 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 application form which is available from this office, or open an online Benefit application form.

If you are not sure whether you could get Benefit, look at the Benefit Tables to see if you might be eligable.