Backdating child disability addition & carer element templates letters This advice applies across the UK. We have developed a series of template letters for you to ask the Universal Credit service to revise their decision not to backdate the disabled child addition or the carer element. See our webpage about this issue. In this article Which template should I use? Which template you’ll use depends on your circumstances, including whether you live in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. Use the flowchart below by answering the questions, and this will automatically direct you to the correct template letter. Or, if you know what you’re doing, skip past the flowchart to see all template letters. Please note that the template assumes that you are only being refused backdating of one disabled child addition and/or one carer element. If you are seeking backdating of more than one disabled child addition or backdating of two carer elements (for you and your partner), you will need to call our helpline to speak to an adviser as you will need a revision request tailored to your individual circumstances rather using one of our standard templates. How do I use these templates? Click on the document link to download your template. Once downloaded, you’ll be able to edit it. Most of the legal arguments are set out in the body of the template letter. You will need to add certain individual details, such as your child’s name and address. Make clear the disability benefit they receive and when their entitlement to that benefit started. We have set out the areas you need to add information in red. There are also some guidance notes – also in red –at the end of each template. Once you have added the relevant details, please delete all of the sections in red including the notes. You can then cut and paste the finalised text into your Universal Credit journal. Use the flowchart to find your template letter Which of the following situations applies to you? The Universal Credit office is paying me the child disability element, but refusing to backdate it. The Universal Credit office has increased my child disability element from the lower to the higher rate, but refuses to backdate the increase. The Universal Credit office is paying me a carer element, but refusing to backdate it. Are you also receiving a carer element in your Universal Credit award AND the office is also refusing to backdate the carer element ? No, I am not getting the carer element / No, I am getting the carer element but the office is backdating it Yes, I am getting the carer element and the office also refuses to backdate this Are you also receiving a child disability addition in your Universal Credit award AND the office is also refusing to backdate the child disability addition? No, I am not getting the child disability addition / No, I am getting the child disability addition but the office is backdating it Yes, I am getting the child disability addition and the office is refusing to backdate it Are you living in Scotland? Yes No Which of the following applies to you? I’ve been refused backdating of an increase in my child disabibility addition after the Universal Credit office finding out that my child’s disability benefit has been increased to higher rate care component/enhanced rate daily living. I’ve been refused backdating of a child disability addition after the Universal Credit office finding out for the first time that my child gets a disability benefit. Download Template 1 Scotland – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition.Download Template 1 England Wales NI – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition.Download Template 2 Scotland – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition + carer element.Download Template 2 Scotland – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition + carer element.Download Template 2 England Wales NI – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition + carer element.Download Template 2 England Wales NI – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition + carer element.Download Template 3 Scotland – backdating DCA to higher rate.Download Template 3 England Wales NI – backdating DCA to higher rate.Download Template 4 Scotland – backdating DCA to higher rate plus carer element.Download Template 4 Scotland – backdating DCA to higher rate plus carer element.Download Template 4 England, Wales and NI backdating higher DCA + carer element.Download Template 4 England, Wales and NI backdating higher DCA + carer element.Download Template 5 Scotland – backdating carer element only.Download Template 5 England, Wales and NI – backdating carer element only. All templates Download Template 1 Scotland – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition.Download Template 1 England Wales NI – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition.Download Template 2 Scotland – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition + carer element.Download Template 2 England Wales NI – request in journal for backdating of child disability addition + carer element.Download Template 3 Scotland – backdating DCA to higher rate.Download Template 3 England Wales NI – backdating DCA to higher rate.Download Template 4 Scotland – backdating DCA to higher rate plus carer element.Download Template 4 England, Wales and NI backdating higher DCA + carer element.Download Template 5 Scotland – backdating carer element only.Download Template 5 England, Wales and NI – backdating carer element only.