Effective Date and Additional Priority

Effective date and additional priority

In some circumstances, Basildon Council may award additional priority to a housing application by 'backdating' the effective date within a priority band. A backdate does not place an applicant into a higher band, but it can increase their priority within the same band by giving their application an earlier effective date.

Backdated priority is awarded in recognition of particular circumstances, such as long-standing ties to the Borough, employment or community contribution, or service in the Armed Forces.

Only one 12-month backdate can normally be awarded to an application, even when more than one criterion is met. The only exception to this is for Armed Forces applicants, who may also receive the 'Born in Basildon' backdate where applicable.

Backdated priority does not apply to applicants who are living in temporary accommodation provided by Basildon Council or to applicants living in supported accommodation where they are entitled to move on through nomination.
 

Who can be considered for a backdate?

1. Armed Forces

Applicants who are serving in, or who have previously served in the Armed Forces may be awarded additional priority in recognition of their service. The effective date will be backdated by the total cumulative length of their military service at the date the application is made. This increases their priority above other applicants in similar housing circumstances who have not undertaken military service.

This applies to current and former members of the Regular Armed Forces It also applies to serving or former members of the Reserve Armed Forces where a serious injury, illness or disability is wholly or partly attributable to their service.

Applicants who are bereaved spouses or civil partners of members of the Regular Armed Forces may also qualify where they have recently ceased, or will shortly cease, to be entitled to reside in Ministry of Defence accommodation following the death of their service spouse or civil partner, and where that death was wholly or partly attributable to military service.

These provisions are intended to ensure that those who have given the most for their country receive appropriate priority for social housing. Armed Forces applicants may receive this backdate in addition to the 'Born in Basildon' backdate, where applicable.

Evidence required:

  • Applicants must provide evidence confirming their Armed Forces status and length of service. This may include service records, discharge papers, confirmation of reserve service or official documentation showing dates of service.

  • Bereaved spouses or civil partners must provide evidence of their relationship, loss of entitlement to Ministry of Defence accommodation and confirmation that the death was wholly are partly attributable to the service.

 

2. Born in Basildon

Applicants who were born within the Basildon Borough and who have lived in the Borough continuously may have their effective date in band backdated by 12 months.

This backdate recognises long standing local connection to the Borough. The award will be withdrawn if the applicant moves out of the Borough. Any periods that the Council has formally disregarded under residency provisions will not affect entitlement to this backdate.

Evidence required:

  • Applicants must provide a copy of their full birth certificate, showing the usual address at the time their birth was registered. 
  • Where relevant, the Council may request additional documents to evidence continuous residence in the Borough.

 

3. Working households

Applicants who meet the Council’s working household criteria may have their effective date in band backdated by 12 months.

This backdate recognises applicants who are working. To be considered for this backdate, the applicant or their partner must be employed for at least 24 hours per week, or 12 hours per week where the applicant is a single parent with dependent children.

Employment must have been continuous for at least the previous 12 months and they can demonstrate that they expect to remain in work.

Employment does not need to be within the Basildon Borough to qualify.

Evidence required:

  • Applicants who are requesting a working household priority backdate must provide evidence to confirm their employment status. This must include either a copy of their employment contract, showing the date employment commenced and the number of contracted hours, together with a copy of their most recent payslip.
  • Alternatively, applicants may provide a letter from their current employer confirming the date their employment commenced, the number of hours they are contracted to work each week, the type of contract held (for example, permanent, fixed-term or temporary), and confirmation that the employment is expected to continue.
  • Self-employed applicants will be required to provide evidence such as proof of income, National Insurance contributions, tax documents and a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).

 

4. Community Contribution

Applicants who, or whose partner, make a significant contribution to the local community may be eligible for a 12 month priority backdate. To qualify, the contribution must be for at least 12 hours per week and must have been carried out continuously for a minimum of 12 months.

A community contribution may include volunteering for a recognised charity or voluntary organisation within the Borough, or providing unpaid care within the Borough for a person who has assessed care and support needs.

Evidence required:

  • Applicants will be required to provide evidence to confirm the type of community contribution and how long it has been undertaken. This may include written confirmation from the charity or voluntary organisation outlining the role and hours volunteered, or a copy of a social care assessment or care plan confirming unpaid caring responsibilities. The evidence must clearly demonstrate that the criteria above are met.

 

5. Sheltered Accommodation

Applicants who are registered for sheltered accommodation only and assessed in Band E may be eligible for a 12-month priority backdate. This applies in cases where the applicant either has a qualifying period of residence in the Borough themselves or has a close family connection within Basildon.

Applicants who have lived continuously in the Basildon Borough for at least seven years may be awarded the 12-month backdate in recognition of their long- term residency. Where the Council already holds confirmation of this residence, no additional evidence will be required.

Applicants may also qualify where they do not meet the residence criteria but have a close family member living in the Borough. A close family member is considered as a son, daughter, brother, sister or parent who has lived continuously in Basildon for at least seven years. This recognising the importance of remaining close to family support networks.

Evidence required:

  • Applicants must provide proof of their relationship to the family member, such as a birth certificate or other official documentation.
  • In addition, proof of the family member’s continuous residence in the Basildon Borough for the previous seven years to the present day is required. Acceptable evidence may include Council Tax bills, bank statements, utility bills or similar official documents covering the full period.

 

Important Information
  • Only one 12-month backdate can be applied per applicant, except Armed Forces members, who can also get the 'Born in Basildon' backdate.
  • Applicants in temporary or supported accommodation with move on arrangements cannot receive a backdate.
  • You must provide supporting evidence for the backdate; without evidence, it cannot be applied.
  • Backdating affects your effective date within your current band but it does not move you into a higher band.

 

Backdating ensures that people with strong ties to Basildon, who have served their country, work, or contribute to the community, are recognised and prioritised fairly for housing.