This section explains what to do if you think that a decision about your assessment of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support is wrong.

When we have dealt with your claim for benefit we will send you a decision letter. The letter shows the information we have used to work out your benefit and you should check it carefully.

If you think the decision is wrong, you can ask us to explain it. You should do this within one month of the date on our decision letter.  We can explain our decision verbally, or if you want us to confirm it in writing we will send you a ‘statement of reasons’ explaining how we have worked out your benefit. We will post your 'statement of reasons' as soon as we can, and we will extend the one-month time limit you have for an appeal by the amount of time we take to send it.

After we have explained the decision if you still think it’s wrong, we will review it for you. For most decisions, if you wish to appeal it can ultimately go to an independent tribunal who can override our decision.

If you have received a decision letter from us or a written 'statement of reasons' explaining the decision and you still think it is wrong, you must tell us in writing within one month of the date of the letter and we will look at the decision again.

You can make an appeal using the appeals form.

Fill in the form and write down the reasons for your appeal.

Make sure that you sign the form.

If you need help you can get it from:

When you have filled in the form, send it back to the Benefits Department within one calendar month of the date on the decision letter.