Southampton City Council

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How do I claim?

You can claim by completing one of our application forms. Before you send the form to us, make sure you have read the form carefully and answered all the questions fully even those that you think do not apply to you. Check that you have signed all the pages where you are required to sign, and that you have included all the evidence and proofs we ask for.

An application form is available to print from the bottom of this page or you can get an application form from:

• Gateway at One Guildhall Square, a Local Housing Office or by contacting Benefit Services on 023 8083 3009. Please ensure that you complete the application form straight away and that you either take it to Gateway or send it to Benefit Services by post.

• The Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service are able help you to complete forms in order to claim Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance and Council Tax Benefit. Remember to tell them that you would like to claim. Although it is not compulsory to complete one of our forms if you have already completed a form with Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service, it may speed up the process of your claim if you do so.

Backdated Benefit FAQs

1. Claimants of working age - What date will my benefit start from?

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are paid from the Monday following receipt of an application form or the date that an application form was requested as long as it is provided within one month of the date of the request.

If you make a claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit over the telephone through Jobcentre Plus, the date of claim is the date that you contacted Jobcentre Plus.

If you receive Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based) or Jobseeker’s Allowance (Contributions Based), all benefits will have the same claim date.

2. What if I make a late claim?

If you have made a late claim we can backdate your benefit for up to 6 months before your claim was received, but you must have a good reason for your claim being late. Any request for a backdate must be made in writing and proofs may be asked for to support your request. Each case is looked at individually and your claim will be backdated if “good cause” is demonstrated.

3. Claimants of pensionable age - What date will my benefit start from?

If you or your partner have reached pensionable age or over and qualify for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit, your benefit will automatically be backdated for up to 3 months before the date that you made your claim provided that you have an entitlement for this period.

4. What if I make a late claim?

To enable us to backdate your benefit to 3 months before the date of claim you will need to provide proof of your income, savings and rent for this period.

Authority to Discuss - FAQ

1. What is 'authority to discuss'?

Generally we are unable to discuss details of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims with third parties. If your Housing Benefit entitlement is paid to your landlord on your behalf, the only information that can be disclosed are details of the payments e.g. the amounts to be paid, the payment frequency and the payment method.

However, if you are happy that information as regards your claim can be shared with a third party, you will need to provide your signed permission to enable Benefits Services to do this stating the name(s) of the person(s) and/or organisation(s) with whom this information can be shared.


2. What is an appointee?

If you are unable to manage your affairs, Benefit Services can appoint someone to act for you. The appointee is then responsible for everything to do with your claim. This includes signing all forms and reporting changes of circumstances. Appointees have specific duties and may be liable, for example, for the repayment of any overpayments. An appointee can be an individual or an organisation, e.g. a local authority or a firm of solicitors.

3. How do I become an appointee?

The prospective appointee must be aged at least 18 and must apply in writing to Benefits Services using the appropriate form. The claimant will also need to complete a form. These forms are available at Gateway and local housing offices or can be requested from the call centre. A person who has been appointed by the Department for Work and Pensions will usually be accepted as an appointee by Benefit Services without needing to apply separately.

4. What duties do appointees have?


An appointee has the same rights and responsibilities as the claimant, and in effect acts as though they are that person in relation to their Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit claim. Duties include: -

  • completing claim forms

  • receiving or collecting payments - these will be in the name of the appointee

  • dealing with any correspondence about Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit

  • reporting any changes in the claimant's circumstances

  • repaying any overpayments of benefit

5. How do I stop being an appointee?

The appointee or the person they act for can ask for the appointment to be terminated at any time. Also, Benefit Services can terminate an appointment at any time without giving reasons. In either case, 4 weeks’ notice must be given.

Downloadable documents

Icon Name of file Size Download time
PDF document Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit application form 580 KB 2secs @ 2Mbps
PDF document HB10 Change of Address form (Sept 10) 241 KB 1secs @ 2Mbps
Link to download Adobe Acrobat if required

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