Thread: Underpayment of Income support premiums and backdating

Hi, just would like to know if anyone has experienced this before and what outcome they had, or if anyone has any info.

Me and my partner currently claim income support as a couple and have been since 18 mths ago. My partner is registered as a carer for our disabled son who recieves high rate care and mobility dla. We had a notice sent from dwp today to inform us of a change in the amounts of income support as they have increased in april 2009. Whilst looking at this notice the information that tells you the amount the law requires you to live on shows that i am recieving dla and shows a premium for a disabled adult and an enhanced disabled adult premium. All this is incorrect as it is my son who recieves the dla. I have looked online at the rates of the premiums to be paid and a disabled child recieves slightly more than a disabled adult in extra premiums. I have worked this out and it is about £13.32 each week that we have been underpaid, totalling around £1000 from the start date of the claim 18mths ago. When we applied for income support we informed them of all the correct details and even attented an interview and confirmed that our son is disabled and we recieve dla and carers allowance for him.

What i would like to know is, because it has been an error by dwp does this mean that they have to give us a backdated payment as we have missed out on these extra premiums, i am waiting for a callback from them which will not be until monday, any help appreciated, many thanks

I don't know about your specific circumstances, but the general answer is yes, if an error by the DWP has resulted in your being paid less than the amount to which you are entitled, it should be backdated and paid to you.