Question Author
In the main, my reasons for asking it to be back dated would have been because I was hoping I'd find a job by myself so avoiding the need to claim. Pride, you could say, not to mention trying to save them money - ha ! As wolf63 says, I got zilch. This time, it's because I was waiting for medical tests to be done / get results to know if I'm fit & available for work.
factor30, in hospital, wanting to claim JSA where you have be fit & available to work. I can see how that may not wash ;o)
ojread2, most circumstances they quote on that link are not really conducive to be fit & available either, eg. "the claimant’s health condition (both physical and mental), household emergencies (such as bereavement)", but I see "a foreign national who does not speak or read English" may be considered ignorant of the benefit system. That's obviously where I'm going wrong !