Reviews and Appeals
If you disagree with a decision we have made in the assessment of your claim you can challenge our decision in a number of ways. You can:
- ask us to explain the decision
- ask us to look at the decision again – this is known as a review
- submit an appeal in writing giving the reasons you disagree with the decision.
How do I ask for a review?
You can ask us to review our decision about your claim for Housing Benefit including the Local Housing Allowance rate we have applied to you.
Your request for a review must be in writing, and received by us within one month of the decision notification letter or we may not be able to review your claim. You must include details of why you think our decision is wrong.
You cannot ask for a review of the Local Housing Allowance rates for the area you want to live in.
How do I ask for an appeal?
You can ask the Appeals Service to look at our decision. Your request for an appeal must be in writing. Details of how to appeal will be included in your notification letter. The Appeals Service must get your request for an appeal within one month of the date of the decision notification letter. If they do not get it within one month, they may not be able to look again at your claim.
If you have asked us to review our decision and have received a reply from us, you can ask the Appeals Service to look at our review decision. The Appeals Service must get your request for an appeal within one month of the date of the decision notification letter. If they do not get it within one month, they may not be able to look again at your claim.
The Appeals Service may be able to consider an appeal outside this time limit if there are special circumstances. They cannot consider an appeal if it is made more than 13 months from the date of the original decision notification letter. To find out more about this, get in touch with the Appeals Service (see link below)ov.uk.
Who can make an appeal?
Someone who is affected by the decision may appeal, including:
- the person making the claim
- someone who is appointed by the courts to act on behalf of the person making the claim
- someone who the council agrees is appointed to act on behalf of the person making the claim
- a landlord – but only about who benefit may be paid to
- an agent – but only about who benefit may be paid to
- any person from whom an overpayment is to be recovered.
Further information
The Appeals Service - Information about appealing against benefit related decisions
You might also want to get advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureau - Swingate House, Stevenage, SG1 1AF
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.
Telephone 24hr advice & information line: 0845 1203789