54.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (10), (11) and (12) of regulation 53 (time and manner in which claims are to be made), and with the exception of those claims to which paragraph (3) of this regulation refers, where a claim for council tax benefit has been sent or delivered to a gateway office in accordance with sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph (4) of regulation 53, the date on which that claim is made shall be—
(a)in a case where the claimant or his partner—
(i)claimed income support or a jobseeker's allowance; but
(ii)has no entitlement to income support or an income-based jobseeker's allowance,
the first date on which notification is deemed to be given in accordance with paragraph (2), but if that notification is by any means other than a claim which meets the requirements of regulation 53(1) such a claim must be received at a gateway office within one month of that notification;
(b)in a case where neither the claimant nor his partner is a person on income support or entitled to an income-based jobseeker's allowance, the first date on which notification is deemed to be given in accordance with paragraph (2), but if that notification is by any means other than a claim which meets the requirements of regulation 53(1) such a claim must be received at the gateway office within one month of that notification; or
(c)in any other case, the date on which the claim for council tax benefit is received at the gateway office.
(2) A notification of intention to make a claim is deemed to be given on the date on which notification from the claimant of his intention to claim council tax benefit is received in whatever form at a gateway office.
(3) This regulation does not apply to claims which are made at an office of a designated authority in accordance with regulation 53(4)(e).