IS20 - A guide to Income Support

Making a claim

The date of the claim

All benefits have a time limit within which a claim must be made. Therefore it is essential that your claim is made without delay. There are circumstances when the time limits can be extended, but you should not assume that these will apply to you. If you are unsure about your entitlement to benefit and your right to claim, you should seek advice from your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office or a welfare rights group. Remember, any delay in claiming could result in you losing benefit. [Legislation (30)]

If you made your claim by telephone, the date you first contacted the Jobcentre Plus office will usually be taken as the date of your claim.  If you are issued with a claim form, as long as you complete and return it within a month of the date on which it is issued to you, the date of your claim for Income Support will normally be taken as the day a claiming letter arrives at the Jobcentre Plus office or social security office.

Getting benefit from an earlier date

The period covered by your claim for Income Support will normally begin on the date of claim, but in some cases you may be able to get benefit from an earlier date. This can happen if the time limit for claiming is extended or if the decision maker decides you can get benefit from an earlier date because there was good cause for a delay in your claim. [Legislation (31)]

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