The date of a claim for Benefit is usually the day the benefit application is received by us. If you are claiming Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (income based) or guarantee credit the date of the claim is the first day of entitlement of Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (income based) or guarantee credit , providing you claim Housing or Council Tax Benefit within one month.
The benefit start date is usually the Monday following the date of the claim.
For example:
Benefit claim received Thursday 6th January 2011
Benefit start date Monday 10th January 2011
However there are exceptions to this rule:
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Housing Benefit
If you move into a new home and claim Housing Benefit in the same week your claim may start from that week. Example:
You move in Wednesday 5th January 2011
Benefit claim received Wednesday 5th January 2011
Rent charged from Monday 3rd January 2011
Benefit start date Monday 3th January 2011
This could also apply if you inherit a tenancy or because of a rent free week.
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Council Tax Benefit
If you move into a new home and claim Council Tax Benefit in the same week your claim for Council Tax Benefit may start from that week. Example:
You move in Wednesday 5th January 2011
Benefit claim received Wednesday 5th January 2011
Council Tax liability from Wednesday 5th January 2011
Benefit start date Wednesday 5th January 2011
This could also apply if you inherit the liability for Council Tax because the previous person liable has died or because an exemption had been removed.
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How long will it take to process my application?
Our aim is to process your new application within 25 days.
If you come to Wellington Street reception, we guarantee to make a decision on your claim within 24 hours of you handing in the application form providing all the information we need is supplied. We will try to see you as quickly as possible.
If you haven't got all the required information, we can make an appointment for you to return with the necessary information. Please see the section 'Making an appointment'
Please note that applications submitted by post or handed in personally usually take longer to process.
If you are housebound or elderly, we have a welfare visiting service to help you complete the form at home and verify your supporting information.
To request this service, call our Benefit Hotline on 0116 252 7006.
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