Appealing your Housing Benefit decision

If you disagree with a decision we make on your Housing Benefit claim you can:

• ask us for a detailed explanation of how we reached the decision
• ask us to look at the decision again
• appeal against the decision
• appeal to an independent tribunal

A statement of reasons is a detailed explanation of how we reached a Housing Benefit decision. You can request a statement of reasons by writing to us within one month of the date of the decision you disagree with.

You can ask us to look again at a Housing Benefit decision. This is called a revision. You should explain clearly what you disagree with and provide any evidence to support your statement.

You must request a revision:

• within one month of the date of a statement of reasons or
• within one month of the date of the decision you disagree with

If you can show that there is a good reason why you did not ask for a revision within a month of the decision, we may be able to accept your request up to a maximum of 13 months after we made our decision.

You can make an appeal against a Housing Benefit decision. You must tell us why you think the decision is wrong and provide us with any extra details and evidence that you think may be relevant.

Your decision letter will state how to make an appeal.

You must request an appeal:

• within one month of the date of a statement of reasons
• within one month of the date of a response to a revision request (if it agreed with our initial decision) or
• within one month of the date of the decision you disagree with

If you can show that there is a good reason why you did not make a valid appeal within a month of the decision date, we may be able to accept your appeal up to a maximum of 13 months after we made our decision.

If we are unable to change our decision you can make an appeal to an independent tribunal. HM Courts & Tribunals Service administers the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal which deals with Housing Benefit appeals.

You will need to make your appeal in writing to us, stating why you think the decision is wrong and providing any extra details and evidence that may be relevant. We will then refer your appeal to the tribunal service.

You must request an appeal:

• within one month of the date of a statement of reasons
• within one month of the date of a response to a revision request (if it agreed with our initial decision)
• within one month of the date of a response to an appeal (if it agreed with our initial decision) or
• within one month of the date of the decision you disagree with

If you can show that there is a good reason why you did not make a valid appeal within a month of the decision date, we may be able to accept your appeal up to a maximum of 13 months after we made our decision.