LHA Extra Bedroom Disability Backdated?

callumt72

I have a question regarding the LHA (Local Housing Allowance) extra room for individuals with disabilities. I recently applied for this allowance as it appeared in my UC account to do list, due to my disability and was awarded it.

I'm unsure if it can be backdated they asked me when I signed up how long have I needed extra room for. Does anyone here have experience with this or know if backdating is possible for the LHA extra room for disability benefits? because I receive LCWRA and PIP and they've new this since day one of receiving universal credit?  

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

poppy123456

All you can do is ask and it will be down to a decision maker to make the final decision. The extra bedroom for a carer, isn't something that's automatically paid so please be aware of that. 

callumt72

poppy123456 said:

All you can do is ask and it will be down to a decision maker to make the final decision. The extra bedroom for a carer, isn't something that's automatically paid so please be aware of that. 

Sorry what do you mean the decision maker the award was given, the LHA for extra room but do you mean it needs to be assessed for backdating?

poppy123456

Yes that's exactly what I meant because your question was regarding backdating the extra bedroom. 

Rainbows

HI

The "to do" generated on your journal as there has been an update on the system & it now identifys if a claimant might use an extra bedroom. If you are trying to get this back dated the dwp are claiming that as it was the claimants responsibility to make them aware of the need for an extra bedroom then they will not back date. They also seem to be focusing on using the ruling that its over the 13 month since your claim started & therefore this can't be appealed against as its outwith the time frame. If you are claiming the back payment from less than 13 months ago it would be interesting on their response to back dating. Can I ask what date your "to do" generated as I believe others on here was January & mine was February so if it was a system upgrade that implemented this change why did it appear on claimants journals weeks apart.

Thanks

callumt72

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/874585#Comment_874585

Hi, My to do appeared around February 25th roughly, I was awarded it but I'm still waiting for backdating letter its been 12 weeks with a decision maker.

Rainbows

Hi, thank you for the information. My "to do" generated on 6th February so again we are getting treated differently depending on when the computer update takes effect on generating the "to do" as some people's generated in January hence them receiving the extra money a month earlier. From what I have read on here on other posts they seem to be really adamant that they are not back dating payments & passing the blame to the claimants for not asking for the extra bedroom. I mean it's blatantly obvious if, as claimants we knew we could get this extra help we would have, it makes no sense that dwp state all these unclaimed benefits & grants but when they have a computer system that is now fit for purpose & can identify 1 + 1 = 2 (hardly rocket science for a programme to be written to cross reference Universal Credit claimants that also receives PIP) they will give the extra help going forward but not recognise the back payments its just madness. Waiting 12 weeks is ridiculous also, put a note on your journal asking for it to be escalated & that you are speaking with your MP about making a complaint. Are you requesting your back payment for more than 13 months? This seems to be there get out clause that if its over 13 months you can't ask them to review the award as it's outwith the time frame. There is no common sense in any of it but then they wonder why there is so much fraud happening when they set the system up to be run by the claimants just madness & even after they have identified all this fraud do they change the broken system........no they employee thousands of staff to clamp down on the fraudsters & don't give a hoot about the genuine claimants who have no idea what or how to claim what they are entitled too & can't even get a reply on our journals madness bloody madness lol!!

callumt72

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/874942#Comment_874942

Hi, my claim is around about 17 months prior to the acceptance of extra help, I'm with a joint claim as my partner cares for me and she does the journal, they did say that I could ask for an update before a decision maker has placed a note on my journal.