UC and claiming for a child

[Groovy123]

Hi, I just wanted a bit of advice. My son was born almost 4 years ago right at the beginning of the pandemic, I didn’t immediately start claiming benefits for him as I had never did it before and wasn’t sure where to go or what to do.

I didn’t start claiming benefits for him until 4 months after he was born but didn’t receive first payment until 5 months after he was born.

a friend has made me aware today that you can ask for this to be backdated due to the circumstances at the time but also because they should have done this anyway. I made a claim for my 2nd child recently and was backdated 2 months after she was born but it was only because I asked for it to be backdated.

I no it was almost 4 years ago when my first was born, but has anyone ever been backdated after this long? Or would anyone have any advice on what I should expect? Thanks

No they won't backdate it now. End of the day you made a choice not to claim it, it wasn't down to a dwp error.

would it make a difference if I didn’t make a choice not to claim, I didn’t have a birth certificate to make a claim, and the whole country had entered a lockdown 3 days before my son was born, I didn’t get his birth certificate until 4 months after he was born as I couldn’t get an appointment as it wasn’t seen as a necessity to leave the house and when they finally did give out appointments they were for weeks away that being the reason it took 4 months to get his birth certificate.

As soon as I got his birth certificate I made a claim for child benefit & then UC. Child benefit backpaid but UC never did, I wasn’t aware if they did or didn’t back pay until recently.

You can try. I would think it's too long ago now though. But you won't know if you don't ask. Not sure how- in the UC journal?

I will make an enquiry and see what they say, I thought it was probably to long ago but I honestly didn’t think they would backdate anything until I was talking with a friend who said they can backdate in some circumstances

They won't do it. Have very similar experience.

It’s too late now