Backdating a claim

You do not need to show good cause but you must provide proof of your income for the period of backdating.

Standard backdating An initial claim can be backdated if the circumstances entitling the person to tax credits have subsisted for the period of the backdating.Look for the date you may be entitled to receive Pension Credit from, not the date you reach State Pension age.However, unlike pension age claims, you must show that you had good reason (also referred to as “good cause”) for not claiming earlier.If there has been a reason which stopped or delayed you applying for Housing Benefit you can ask for your claim to be 'backdated' so that it starts from an earlier date.You can only ask for a backdate of benefits if there is a good reason why you were unable to apply for your benefit earlier.