What can I do if I disagree with your decision?

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. You must include details of why you think our decision is wrong.

We must get your request for a review within one month of the date of the decision notification letter. If we do not get it within one month, we may not be able to look again at your claim.

You cannot ask for a review of the Local Housing Allowance rates for the area you want to live in.

Details of how to get in touch with us are at the end of this leaflet.

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 (www.appeals-service.gov.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.

Where to get more information

If you need more information about the changes and how they affect you please click here to find out how you can contact us.

For more information and advice you can visit the central government money advice section on the internet at www.direct.gov.uk. This also has a wide range of public service information and links to other organisations which you may find useful if you are looking for help or advice.

You may find it helpful to talk to a welfare rights organisation, such as Citizens Advice. You can get their details from the phone book.

Alternatively visit the Appeals Service website at www.appeals-service.gov.uk