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If you disagree with a benefits decision

When the benefits office sends you a letter about their decision, if you do not agree, you can ask them to explain or reconsider it.

If you're unhappy with a reconsidered decision you can appeal.

You can ask for an explanation or reconsideration of every decision, but some benefit decisions cannot be appealed.

For example, you can't appeal against decisions on Budgeting Loans, Community Care Grants or Crisis Loans. The decision letter will make it clear if it can't be appealed.

Deadlines

You have one month:

A late appeal may be accepted if you have special circumstances that prevented you appealing in time, but not if more than 13 months have passed.

How to appeal

Information on how to appeal is normally included in the decision letter.

In most cases, it involves filling in the appeal form in the leaflet: 'If you think our decision is wrong' and posting it to the benefits office dealing with your claim.

You can pick up the leaflet at your local benefits office or download it, below, from the Department for Work and Pensions website.

• DWP booklet: 'If you think our decision is wrong' (PDF, 109K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files
• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

But if you are appealing in these cases follow the procedures below:

Child Maintenance

If you don't agree with a decision made by the Child Support Agency (CSA), you can contact the CSA centre that made the decision. (Their contact details will be on the letter explaining the decision.)

If you're not happy with the outcome, you can write to the CSA Central Appeals Unit.

• Address for the CSA Central Appeals Unit Opens new window

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

These benefits are handled by your local council, so you'd normally contact your local council office to query the decision and follow their appeals procedure.

Follow the links below to your local authority website to find out more.

• Appeal against a Council Tax Benefit decision Opens new window
• Appeal against a Housing Benefit decision Opens new window

Benefits for disabled people

If you have any queries about Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, call the Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance Helpline, 08457 123 456, textphone 08457 224 433 (7.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday).

If you're not satisfied with the results, you may be able to appeal by using the DWP form 'If you think our decision is wrong'.

• DWP booklet: 'If you think our decision is wrong' (PDF, 109K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

Tax credits

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) makes decisions about tax credits.

You can download the appeal form online, below, or you can call the Tax Credits helpline.

If you live in England, Scotland and Wales call 0845 300 3900, textphone 0845 300 3909.

If you live in  Northern Ireland call 0845 603 2000, textphone 0845 607 6078.

Lines are open every day from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. 

• Download the tax credits appeal form (PDF documet, 111.20K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

Child Benefit and Guardians Allowance

These benefits are also handled by HMRC, appeal forms are available online or by phoning the helpline.

If you live in England, Scotland and Wales you can call the HMRC helpline 0845 302 1444, textphone 0845 302 1474.

If you live in Northern Ireland call 0845 603 2000, textphone 0845 607 6078

Lines are open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday.

• Download CH24A - Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance appeal form (PDF document, 36K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

The Social Security and Child Support Appeals Tribunal

The Social Security and Child Support Appeals Tribunal can explain the procedure and help you through the appeal process. There is plenty of information on the Social Security and Child Support Appeals Tribunal website, including information in easy read format.

You can also order information leaflets through the Customer Leaflet Hotline on 08700 852611, typetalk 18001 08700 852611. Calls are charged at local rate.

• Tribunals Service Opens new window

Who hears the appeal?

Appeals are heard by a tribunal; a panel of up to three members, one of whom is legally qualified.

There are two kinds of tribunal hearing:

Advice and help with your appeal

Some organisations offer help and advice (some for free) with your appeal, including:

The CAB will help you fill in forms and may accompany you to the hearing. Or you could ask an adviser, friend or family member to appeal on your behalf.

• More about the Citizens Advice Bureau Opens new window

Financial help

You may be able to claim some expenses for travelling to a tribunal, but you can't claim for legal expenses and solicitors' fees - even if you win.

If you lose the appeal

If you don't agree with the tribunal's decision, you can only challenge it if:

But if you think the tribunal made a mistake in how they applied the law, you can ask for permission to appeal to a Social Security or Child Support Commissioner.

• More about appealing to a Commissioner Opens new window

More useful links

• More guidance on appealing against benefits decisions (PDF document, 195K) Opens new window