4. Applying for hardship payments
You must apply for hardship payments as they are not made automatically. You can ask in your universal credit (UC) journal, at the job centre or by calling the relevant benefit helpline. You must provide information and evidence if the DWP says it is required.
1UC Reg 116(1)(c) and (d) UC Regs; reg 16E(a) and (b) SS(LB) Regs; paras L1031 and L1036 ADM
ESA Reg 64A(d) and (e) ESA Regs; reg 16B SS(LB) Regs
Although you cannot get employment and support allowance hardship payments until you have made your application, there is no general rule to prevent you from getting these backdated. You cannot get a UC hardship payment backdated.
Note: for UC, you must make a new application for hardship payments in each assessment period. See
here for when you can apply and how to ensure maximum payments.