The phrase "official error", in the legal sense, is only relevant to overpayments.
For backdating, the issue is "good cause" (continuous right up to the claim for backdating).
An "error" in the plain English sense could, depending on the circumstances as a whole, give rise to a clmt having good cause for not claiming earlier. But, it would normally be argued along the lines of incorrect advice being given which lead the clmt to act, or not act, in a particular way. It doesn't, as such, matter who gave the advice. But weight will (or at least should) be attached to the source of advice to the extent of the credibility the clmt could give to that advice.
Bear in mind that the test is not whether the actions / inactions of a clmt are "understandable", it is whether they are "reasonable".
Hope this helps.
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