Parents denied back pay for sdp

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TeddyTooly
TeddyTooly Online Community Member Posts: 13 Connected
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

My dad has been on PIP/DLA and ESA/Incapacity for work for around 15 years now. I believe the ESA is a joint claim with my mum. My mum has been receiving PIP for about 6 years now. They received a letter to migrate over to UC recently, after ringing Citizens advice they were told that it seems like they are entitled to SDP as no one receives carers allowance for either of them. They called the DWP and filled in an application which they reviewed and awarded them SDP so they have the transitional element for when they migrate over. However they have only back dated it to the time they filled in the application even though they have been entitled to it since my mum has been receiving PIP. The reason for not backdating further was because they said they didn’t inform them when my sister moved out in 2011. This is over 14 years ago, is this a valid excuse? And is there any point taking it further? I’m sure they have been asked in the past 14 years who lives in the household and they have updated them during applications for benefits and social funds etc.

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  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 10,441 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @TeddyTooly Unfortunately the DWP are correct, it's up to the user to inform the DWP of any changes to the claim, such as your sister moving out. So if your sister moving out affected their benefits negatively, then they should have been receiving less money than they've been getting for the past 14 years, if that makes sense?

    Though it may be worth them getting back in touch with CAB to speak to them about the latest developments as that's something I wouldn't be able to give you a firm answer on I'm afraid.

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