Backdating Claims

If you are over 60 and made a claim for Pension Credit to the Pension Service up to 5th October 2004, we can backdate your claim to 6th October 2003 or the date you qualify from if this is later.

In other circumstances, you can ask for your claim to be backdated for up to 52 weeks. You must ask for this in writing and have good reason for not having made a claim before. If you did not apply because you were ill, a letter from your Doctor would help to support your request.

You must tell us as soon as possible if you want your claim backdating. There is space on the benefit application form for you to ask for backdating of your claim and give your reasons. If you have already sent in your form and decide afterwards that you want to ask for benefit awarded to be backdated, you can send in a letter asking for this and giving your reasons. You should also download and read our leaflet "Can your claim be backdated?"

Mislaid Claims

If you think that we, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Pension Service have mislaid your claim you must tell us as soon as possible and provide evidence. This evidence may include a receipt, confirmation from a Local Authority Officer or another Agency such as the Pension Service.

If we agree that your form has been lost, we will treat it as being received from the date you originally sent it in.