Explaining the decision?

Once we work out your benefit, we will send you notification letters showing you how we worked out your claim.

If you do not understand the letters sent to you or want more details on how we have worked out your benefit, you can ask for an explanation or a written statement.

If you still don't agree with the way your benefit is worked out you can dispute the decision and ask us to look at it again. Contact us within one month of the date on the notification letters and we will look at your claim again. This will be done by a different officer to the one who assessed your claim. If the original decision is wrong we will change it.

What happens if the decision can be changed?

If we change the decision, we will normally change it from the date of the original decision.

We will send you a letter explaining the new decision. If you do not agree with the new decision, you can ask again for it to be looked at.

What happens if the decision cannot be changed?

We will send you a letter explaining why we cannot change the decision, but you can still appeal against it.

If you wish to appeal, you have one month from the date of this new letter confirming our decision.

How do I appeal against the decision?

Write to us within one month of the date on our letter telling you our decision.

Make it clear what decision(s) you are appealing against and the reasons why you disagree. The appeal must be signed by the person who is allowed to appeal.

To help you make your appeal use the form in the linked documents. Print it out, fill it in and send it back to us.

Who can appeal?

All claimants or appointees on behalf of a claimant can make an appeal.

If you are a Landlord you can appeal against a decision. However, a Landlord can only appeal against:

• the recovery of an overpayment from them or
• against the decision not to make Housing Benefit payments direct to them

What happens next?

When we get your appeal another officer will look at the original decision again.

If we agree the original decision is wrong and the new decision is to your advantage, we will write and tell you our new decision and your appeal will stop. If you do not agree with this new decision, you can appeal again.

If we agree the original decision is wrong but the new decision is not to your advantage, we will send you a new decision letter and your appeal will continue against the new decision.

If your appeal continues or we do not change our original decision, your appeal will be sent to the Tribunals Service, along with the Council's submission of the details of your case.

A copy of our submission will be sent to you together with the form (TAS1). You must complete and send the TAS1 form to the Tribunals Service within 14 days of receiving it. If you do not return the TAS1 form to the Tribunals Service your appeal will stop.

The TAS1 form will ask you if you would like to attend the hearing or have the appeal looked at based on the reasons given in your letters. 

If the Tribunals Service accept your appeal they will advise you of the date and place of hearing. For this area, appeals will be held in Peterborough or Bedford depending on your postcode.

What is the Tribunals Service?

The Tribunals Service is an agency of the Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA). It is responsible for the appeals on all Social Security matters through independent tribunals.

For any enquiries about your appeal or general information about the Tribunals Service call

Tel 0115 909 3600 or (Minicom 0115 909 3692) 

or visit their website through the link on the right.  

Can I make a late appeal?

A late appeal may be accepted if there are special circumstances why you could not make an appeal within the original one calendar month time limit.

If you send in a late appeal you should explain why you could not appeal within the original time limit.

A legally qualified person from the Tribunals Service will decide whether your appeal can be accepted.

They will not accept a late appeal if the only reason is that you misunderstood the law.

The maximum period for accepting a late appeal is thirteen (13) months after the date of the original decision.

What happens at the tribunal?

Normally, one person will hear your appeal. This person will be legally qualified and not from the Council. The tribunal may include another person with financial qualifications.

If you go to the hearing you may be asked questions. You will also be able to ask questions. If you prefer, you can take someone with you to help you. A person from the Council may also be present.

If you wanted to go to the hearing but cannot attend you must inform the Tribunals Service straight away. If you do not, your appeal may be heard without you.

If you have asked for a paper hearing you will not be asked to attend.

How do I find out the results?

Whether you go to the hearing or the appeal is done from the submission documents, you will be sent a written statement explaining the tribunals decision. A copy will also be sent to the Council.

What if I disagree with the tribunal’s decision?

You may be able to appeal to the Social Security Commissioners. However, you can only appeal to the Commissioners on a point of law. Your decision notice from the Tribunals Service will tell you what to do if you are unhappy with their decision.