If you get a decision in writing from us about Housing or
Council Tax Benefit, you can ask us to look at it again. If we do
not change our decision you may be able to appeal to an independent
tribunal. The letter telling you about the decision will tell you
if you can appeal.
If you receive a decision in writing it is usually because you
have:
- Claimed Housing or Council Tax Benefit.
- Had a change of circumstances which affects your benefit.
- Been told you have to pay back benefit.
You must write to us within one month of the
date on the decision letter if you want us to look at your decision
again. If there are special circumstances which mean you cannot
write to us within one month, you must contact us to explain why
because we may still be able to look at our decision again.
Details of what to do next and the decisions you can
and can't appeal against are given in the leaflet
'What to do if you think our decision about your
Benefit is wrong' (new window PDF 88KB).
What happens when we look at our decision again?
The decision will be checked by a different officer to the one
who made the original decision, to see if it is correct.
If we can change our decision:
- we may change it from the date of our original decision;
and
- we will send you a letter explaining our new
decision.
If we cannot change our decision:
- we will send you a letter explaining why; and
- you have one more month to appeal to the Tribunals
Service.
I want to appeal against your decision - what should I do?
You must appeal by writing a letter or filling in an appeal
form, which you can get from us. You must send your
appeal form to the office shown on your decision letter within one
calendar month of the date on the letter.
The Tribunals Service will make a decision about your appeal at
a tribunal hearing. the tribunal hearing is made up of people who
are independent from us.
A step-by-step guide to making an appeal to the Tribunal's
Service is given in the booklet
How to appeal (new window PDF 1.19MB).
Remember, if the appeal tribunal finds you have been getting too
much money, we will reduce your benefit.
Independent advice
If you need independent advice you can
contact
your local Citizens Advice
Bureau.