Backdating for students

Normal backdating rules apply to carers who are students, in terms of when their Carer Support award can start. However, prior to 15 March 2026, there were different rules for carers in full-time education who applied for extended backdating under the special rules in place for the roll out of Carer Support Payment (the benefit Carer Support replaced) between 19 November 2023 and 02 February 2025. More information on these rules if needed is available in the Applying for Carer Support Payment Decision Making Guidance. 

For other cases involving entitlement before 15 March 2026 there are other rules which apply differently for some students:

• carers aged 16-19 in full-time non-advanced education with exceptional circumstances – these carers can’t backdate their award to a date before 23 June 2024 in any circumstances 
• carers applying to backdate to a date before 19 November 2023 (when Carer Support Payment, the benefit Carer Support has replaced was introduced). Some students won’t be able to backdate support before this date. 

If you are considering an application covering a period prior to 15 March 2026 and either of these issues applies find more information in the Applying for Carer Support Payment Decision Making Guidance.