Underpayment in housing benefit

Monstermunch1310

Hi everyone my rent has just gone up from £970 to £1250 per month I have applied for a discretionary help and have got that. My question is I’ve only just noticed that my housing benefit has stayed the same for years though I was getting corrected hb but have not been. Can I claim back off council for underpayment. This is only been brought to my attention when housing help team kept telling me I get x amount and I said that I didn’t I got less So the council has brought this up themselves. So can I claim for underpayment?? Many thanks

Jimm_Scope

Hi @Monstermunch1310

I'm not sure about a change of housing benefit, but I know when claiming housing benefit you can ask for a month of backdated payments (three months if you are pension age), if you can provide a good reason for applying late. 

As for a change of circumstances though, as far as I am aware, it is deemed the claimants responsibility to notify the council of any changes, and there is no backdating if the notice of a change is late. I know that probably isn't what you want to hear, and I understand the frustration. I've been there myself and lost out on quite a bit of money because of similar things.

You can read more here on Shelter's website Shelter Legal England - Claimant duty to report change of circumstances - Shelter England

Monstermunch1310

Ok many thanks 

poppy123456

What’s the reason why you haven’t been receiving your maximum entitlement? Did your rent increase and you didn’t inform them? Are you privately renting?