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Benefit is normally awarded from the Monday following the date when you contact us. If you want your benefit awarded from an earlier date you must put this to us in writing. You need tell us the date you want your benefit paid from and your reasons for not applying earlier (this is known as “good cause” see examples below).
We are only able to consider backdating benefits for up to three months for claimants who are of pensionable age, and up to six months for claimants who are of working age.
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Examples of reasons which may be considered as "good cause" for not applying at the time of need include if you:-
- Did not understand that you could make a claim perhaps because of age, language difficulties, problems in understanding technical documents or some other reason.
- Were seriously ill or in hospital and had no one to make a claim on your behalf.
- Were unable to manage your affairs and did not have an Appointee to deal with your affairs for you.
- Have recently experienced a bereavement
- Have been given the wrong advice by a person or organisation familiar with Housing and Council Tax benefit.
We may ask to see documentary evidence of your reasons and details of your income and savings during this period.
Please note that simply saying you did not know you could apply is not a good reason.
What is Discretionary Housing Payment?
(British Sign Language version available)
| A Discretionary Housing Payment can be made to top up your Housing and / or Council Tax Benefit award for up to six months. It is only available for claimants who are not entitled to full benefit.
You will need to complete a separate application form giving details of the financial hardship you have after your housing and / or council tax benefit has been awarded. We will need to see proof of this, for example, proof of other debts or the circumstances that give hardship.
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You can download a Discretionary Housing Payment application form (pdf) here and return it to us by post.
Or you can request a form in one of the following ways:
Telephone us on 0141 287 5050
Drop in to see us at the local centres, Monday to Friday 9.00 to 4.30. No appointment necessary.
Other organisations that can provide advice on housing and financial matters:-
Direct Gov
www.direct.gov.uk
Glasgow Rent Deposit Scheme
www.grdss.org
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAB)
www.cas.org.uk
Scotcash
www.scotcash.net
Housing Options
the Money Advice Service
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