Underpayment in housing benefit

Monstermunch1310
Monstermunch1310 Online Community Member Posts: 20 Connected
in Benefits and income
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

Comments

  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing
    edited March 2024
    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
    Monstermunch1310 Online Community Member Posts: 20 Connected
    Ok many thanks 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    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? 

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