I'm not sure if this has been asked before. If it has i'm sorry for repeating it.
Can anyone clarify the rules on backdating for someone over 60 years of age?
If someone applies now does it get backdated to October 6th 03 or do they have to get Pension Credit to get it backdated?

Anyone over 60 applying for HB and/or CTB can have their claims backdated to 6th October 2003, or then date they would first have qualified for HB/CTB, whichever is the later, without having to prove good cause. They do not have to receive or claim Pension Credit to benefit from this

They don't have to be getting PC for the HB to be backdated, and they don't have to argue good cause either - it should be automatic. The only proviso is that they have to be entitled to HB/CTB on their circumstances for the period in question.

Thanks for the replies. Can anyone tell me which circular this information is in so that I can quote it please?

With Governments recent announcement on the changes in backdating for Pension Credit i.e extending the 52 week period past October 04, do you know if there will be simmilar provisions for HB/CTB backdates in October 2004?

from latest issue of DWP's HB Direct newslsetter -

'Finally, on Pension Credit, I am pleased that the proposal to continue with the provision that allows claims to be backdated for 12 months will also apply to HB/CTB, thus maintaining alignment.'

The Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations and SI 2003 No 325, paragraph 29:

A claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit made after 6th October 2003 and before 6th October 2004 by a person who has attained or whose partner has attained the qualifying age for state pension credit shall be treated as made on 6th October 2003,…… if the local authority is satisfied that, on that day, the claimant satisfied the conditions of entitlement to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.

more confirmation that HB backdating will extend beyond oct 2004

'the measure announced in the Budget, allowing Pension Credit to be backdated for one year, would be mirrored in HB/CTB. This would mean that from October 2004, when the transitional provision allowing HB/CTB claims to be treated as made from 6 October 2003 expires, there would be a new permanent provision for claims to be treated as made for up to a year before they were actually made.'