How far back can backdated housing benefit and council tax benefit be paid?
• Answer: In October 2008, the rules for backdating benefit changed to reduce the amount of time that backdates can be given. In most cases, we can backdate a housing benefit and council tax benefit claim for up to 6 months for people of working age and 3 months for people who are in receipt of pension credit, counting back from the date we receive a written request from you, explaining why you haven’t applied for benefit up to now.
