Housing benefit appeals

If you have received a decision about housing benefit that you think is wrong you can contact us to:

  • ask us to look at the decision again

  • ask us to explain it

  • appeal to an Independent Tribunal to look at the decision again

You must write to us within one month of the date on the decision letter. A different officer will look at the decision again to see if it is correct.

If the decision can be changed we will send you a letter explaining the new decision. If you do not agree with the new decision you can ask us to look at it again.

If the decision cannot be changed we will send you a letter explaining why.

The following booklet explains more about the appeals process and has a form you can use.

Benefit appeals booklet (PDF 798kb)

Late appeals

If you are outside the one month time limit you can make a late request for an appeal. The maximum time limit for a late appeal is 13 months from the date of the decision.

When asking for a late appeal, you will need to explain why it is reasonable to grant your request and why your case has merit and include details of any special circumstances that prevented you from submitting your appeal sooner.

It is important to stress that there is no guarantee that appeals submitted outside of the one month time limit will be accepted by the Tribunal.

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