Housing Benefit And Council Tax Support Claim Form (Page 13 of 18) in pdf

Part I

Sharing information with your landlord

Sharing information with your landlord or their agent can help us to deal with your claim quickly and reduces

the risk of you falling behind with your rent because your claim is delayed.

We may need to confirm information with your landlord before we can make a decision on your claim, for

example, the start date of your tenancy. In these circumstances we can contact your landlord without your

permission. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 we need your permission to discuss anything else.*

If you give us permission, we would be able to tell your landlord whether:

• You have claimed Housing Benefit

• We have made a decision on your claim

• We have made a payment to you; or

• We need more information to make a decision on your claim, and, if so, what information we need

We will not give your landlord any information about:

• Your personal or household circumstances; or

• Your financial circumstances

You can withdraw your permission at any time. It will not affect your claim if you don’t give us permission to

discuss your claim with your landlord. If you want to give us your permission to discuss your claim with your

landlord, please sign below.

I give my council permission to share information with my landlord, or their agent.

* In certain circumstances, under the Welfare Reform Act 2012, we can share information with your landlord

without your permission. We will only do this where the circumstances of your claim allow this to happen.

Your signature

Date

Part J

Backdating

We normally pay your award from the Monday following the day we receive your claim. It may be possible to

backdate your claim for up to:

• Three months from the date you ask if you are of pensionable age

• Six months from the date you ask us if you are under pensionable age and there is a good reason why you

did not claim earlier

What is the date you would like your award to start from?

Were your circumstances different for the period

Yes

you have requested backdating from?

If you are under pensionable age and would like us to backdate your award please write and explain in Part K

your reasons for not claiming earlier. For us to backdate your award you will have to have good cause for not

claiming earlier. Examples may include if you have been unwell or if you have been in hospital or if family or

personal circumstances affected your ability to claim earlier.

Your reasons for not claiming earlier must apply throughout the period you are asking for backdating and you

will need to provide evidence to support your request if available.

Page 13

Housing Benefit And Council Tax Support Claim Form Page 13