I’m a WRO working for a HA. The Housing Officers complete tenants HB/CTB and more often than not they are looking for the benefit to be backdated. When the HO or the tenant explain the reasons for not claiming earlier on the form, the grounds aren’t good enough. When I get to speak to the tenant later I often find that they could have used health grounds or other which would have been better to use.

HO are concerned that if they leave filling in the HB/CTB form until they get to speak to me, then the claim will only be dated to when the LA receive it if they refuse the backdate.

Is it possible to say on the HB/CTB form that the reasons for not claiming earlier will follow in due course as the tenant needs time to discuss this with a WRO?

I am slightly puzzled about this.

If the original reasons are not good enough, there is a right of appeal. The LA, or Tribunal if necessary, can then consider the "additional" grounds.

That said, there is nothing wrong with a tenant stating "further info/evidence" to follow with regard to any aspect of their claim - whether it be evidence of of income, or info for a backdating request.

However, the wording of your post could be interpreted as suggesting that a clmt needs to see a WRO (or similar) in order to "invent" grounds.....

Regards

Thanks for responding Kevin.

Invent grounds! I would never dream of such a thing. lol

Often when I speak to a client- which trust me, is a rarity in this job- there are other circumstances (Grounds) which may have contributed in the delay in the claim and I would rather the LA took these into consideration without the need to proceed to appeal.

You can amend a claim before a decision is made. If the problem is that a claim has gone in but you think the grounds haven't been properly identified you could just write an additional letter to amend the claim.