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Housing Benefit - Appeals

The Appeal Process.

When we have made a decision on your claim we will send you a notification letter, which will advise you of the outcome of your claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

The letter will advise you of all the details we have used to work out your benefit entitlement and it is important that you check that the information is correct.

You must let us know within one calendar month if you do not agree with the decision we have made on your case.

 The 'person affected' (the claimant and in some cases the landlord) may submit an application for revision within one calendar month of the date of notification of the decision. 

This must include the reasons why the person disagrees with the decision. Normally someone different to the person who made the initial decision on your claim, will undertake a reconsideration on the decision,  to see if a change is required. We would then write to you to let you know the outcome of this.

If you were still not happy with this decision, you have the further right of appeal to the Tribunals Service which is not part of the Council and are an independant body, within one further calendar month.

Once you have appealed a full submission will be prepared and forwarded to the Tribunals Service, a copy of this submission will also be sent to yourself which will include a form for you to complete and forward to the Tribunals Service within fourteen days of the date of the form.

The Tribunals Service will then arrange for a tribunal hearing date where you will be able to attend or a representative can attend on your behalf, if you so wish and explain your circumstances.

The Tribunals Service will then make a decision and notify all of the affected parties.    

The Tribunals Service have their own internet website at http://www.appeals-service.gov.uk/

You can however ask us for a detailed written explanation of how your benefit has been worked out at any time.

But if you do wish to appeal, the time limits mentioned already still apply.