To speak of "claims" for DHPs is not strictly accurate, as, because they are discretionary, no-one has a right to claim them - but everyone has a right to request one.
Each Local Authority will have its own claiming process, but
these are fairly similar, and applications can be backdated - although the claimant will
have to request this.
Claims can be made for a past period: these will be paid as a lump sum rather
than weekly (housing Benefit) or monthly (Universal Credit).
Click on the links below for more information: