Section 317 — Social Security Act 2018: Minister may consent to backdating

317 Minister may consent to backdating (1) A benefit (or a benefit of a stated kind) may, with the Minister’s consent, commence at a time— (a) earlier than the time at which an application for it was made; but (b) not earlier than the time at which the person to whom it is granted became eligible for it. (2) The Minister may give consent in relation to a particular applicant, or applicants of a stated kind or description. (3) Consent in relation to applicants of a stated kind or description does not necessarily allow all the benefits concerned to commence at the same time. (4) If the Minister delegates to MSD the exercise of the power to consent conferred by subsection (1), its exercise by MSD (or a refusal by MSD to exercise it) is a decision under this Part for the purposes of subparts 2 to 5 of Part 7 (reviews and appeals). Compare: 1964 No 136 ss 80AA(1), (4), (5), (6) , 125G(1)