Disputes and appeals

How to appeal if you don't agree with a decision about Housing Benefit.

Ask us to look at your claim again

If you are not happy with the decision we made you can ask us to look at your claim again. This is called a reconsideration.

If you want us to reconsider your claim you should:

1. Write to us within one month of getting your decision letter.
   
2. Explain why you want us to look at your claim again in your letter.
   
3. Sign your letter.
   
4. Send your letter to us by post or in person.
   

We will usually reply to you within four weeks.

Your reasons

You can ask us to look at your claim again because we used incorrect information or we did not apply the rules correctly.

If you want to appeal

You can appeal to HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) if you do not agree with our decision.

To appeal you should:

1. Write to us within one month of getting our original decision or reconsideration letter.
   
2. Explain why you are appealing in your letter.
   
3. Sign your letter.
   
4. Send your letter to us by post or in person.
   

We will pass your appeal documents on to HMCTS who will then contact you. We will also send you a copy of the documents.

It can take up to 6 months for the tribunal to hear an appeal.

If you miss the one month deadline

If you miss the one month deadline your request may not be accepted.

When you write to us you will need to explain why you missed the deadline and we will decide if we can accept your request.

In special circumstances we may extend the time limit up to 13 months from the date of decision.

Landlord appeals

Landlords have the right to appeal about certain decisions. They can only submit appeals:

• about whether or not to make Housing Benefit payments direct to them
• where the authority has decided that they are not a 'fit and proper' person to receive payments of Housing Benefit
• where the authority has decided that an overpayment of Housing Benefit can be recovered from them
  

Read more information on supported housing and Housing Benefit for landlords.