Backdated Council Tax Reduction

See how a claim start date is decided, when your claim can be backdated and how to apply.

When is a claim received?

We usually count your claim as received on the day it arrives at Norwich City Council.

However, if you’ve already made a claim for:

  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
  • Income Support
  • Incapacity Benefit at Jobcentre Plus, or
  • if you’ve claimed Guarantee Pension Credit through the Pension Service,

your claim date might be different.

Can my claim be backdated?

Yes, in some cases your claim can be backdated to an earlier date — this means you could get extra benefit for a time before we received your claim.

To get backdated benefit:

You must have a good reason for not claiming earlier.

Your reason must cover the whole period you want backdated.

You need to give specific dates and as much detail as possible.

It helps if you can provide evidence, like a letter from your:

  • doctor
  • social worker
  • probation officer
  • or someone else who can support your reason.

Complete our backdated benefit form

Important: backdating is not automatic — you must ask for it and provide proof.

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