Benefits - Current claim

The general rule is that benefit is paid from the Monday following the date on which your application form is received. However, if you hand in your form during the same week (Monday to Sunday) that you move into your property, then you will be paid from when you moved in. If you are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based), Income Support or Guaranteed Pension Credit, then you can receive benefit from the date that you moved in, if you make your claim within 4 weeks of moving in.

Otherwise, you can ask for your benefit to be ‘backdated’ for a maximum of 52 weeks before the date that you make your claim. You will need to show ‘good cause’ e.g. that you were severely unwell, that you needed someone to help you with your form for the delay in claiming before backdate will be awarded.

How will my benefit be paid?

Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate will both be paid directly to your Council Tax account. If the award of benefit means that your account is in credit, you can apply to the Council Tax section for a refund.
Housing Benefit for Council tenants is paid directly to their rent accounts. Tenants of Registered Social Landlords or private landlords can either have their benefit paid directly to them by bank transfer or into their landlords bank account, if they request it. If you are more than 8 weeks behind with your rent, benefit may be paid to your landlord even if you ask for it to be paid to you.