If you get a decision in writing from us 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.
Ask for the reasons behind the decision
Firstly you can ask us for more information on the reasons behind the decision we made. We can either explain these to you over the phone or in person, or you can ask for a written statement of reasons. (If you want a written statement of reasons you must ask for it in writing).
Contact us as soon as possible – because if you want us to look at the decision again, or if you want to appeal against the decision, you must do so within one month of the date on the decision letter.
If you still disagree with the decision you can ask us to look at it again, or you can appeal against the decision.
Ask us to look at the decision again
Contact us to look at the decision again, and we will check whether the decision taken was correct. A different member of staff will usually do this and if the decision is wrong, we will change it. We will send you a letter to tell you if the decision has been changed.
If you want us to look at the decision again you must let us know within one month of the date of the original letter. If you have already asked for a written statement of reasons, you will have one month from the date of the decision letter, plus the time we took to send you the statement of reasons.
If the decision is been changed, but you do not agree with the new decision, you can ask us to look at it again.
If the decision cannot be changed you may be able to appeal against the original decision.
Appeal against the decision
If you know the reasons behind the decision and/or you've asked us to review the decision and it hasn't changed, or you're still unhappy with the decision, you can choose to appeal against it.
If you want to appeal against the decision, you will need to complete the appeal form and return it to us. An independent tribunal (made up of people who are not from the local authority) will decide on your appeal.
Download a leaflet on appeals and an appeal form (this is a central government leaflet covering all types of benefit appeals)
If you want to appeal against the decision you must do so within one month of the decision letter. If you have asked us to look at the decision again, the one month will start from the date of the new letter we sent you confirming the decision.
The tribunal cannot look at changes of circumstances that happened after we made the decision. If you have a change in circumstance, do not wait for the appeal hearing – contact us straight away.
Late appeals
If you ask us to look at the decision again more than one month after the date of the decision letter we may still be able to change the decision. Contact us as soon as possible.
If you want to appeal against the decision more than one month after the date of the decision letter, the Tribunals Service can only accept the appeal if there are special circumstances that caused the delay. These could be a death, a serious illness, absence abroad, a postal strike or some other special circumstance
You should include an explanation of why you could not appeal within one month on the form. Your appeal cannot be accepted if you appeal 13 months or more after the date on the decision letter.
See the Tribunals Service website for more information on what happens when you appeal.
Help and advice
Advice centres, like the Citizens Advice Bureau and law centres, can represent you and help you understand the reasons for decisions about benefits. They can also help you to fill in forms or to write a letter.