We can backdate your benefit for up to 52 weeks in certain circumstances. But you must have a good reason throughout the period in question for not claiming earlier.

We look at things like your health, any family problems you have had, and language problems (for example, if English is not your first language). We may also think you have a good reason for not claiming earlier if you have been given wrong advice by someone. This would include staff from the Citizens' Advice Bureau , the Benefits Agency, or our office.

If you forgot to claim, or didn't realise you could claim, this would not by itself be classed as a good reason.

If you think you might be entitled to backdated benefit, you should write to our office. You can write when you claim benefit. Your letter should explain why you did not claim earlier.

Write to us at:

Derby Benefits,
PO Box 1,
Council House,
Corporation Street,
Derby DE1 2FE

We will decide whether your reasons are good enough to backdate your benefit. We will write to you within two weeks and tell you our decision. If we decide not to backdate your benefit, we will tell you why. If you think any decision we make is wrong, you have one month from the date we tell you about the decision to ask us to look again at the decision, or appeal against the decision.