Care and support

Challenging decisions

If you are unhappy with a decision about your benefits you can usually ask for it to be looked at again (revision) or you can formally appeal against the decision to an independent tribunal. If you are successful, any change is normally backdated to the time of the original wrong decision.

There are strict time limits if you want to challenge a decision. If you miss the time limit, which is usually one month from the date of the decision letter, you can only put in a late challenge in exceptional circumstances.

If you want to know more about the decision, you can contact the relevant department and ask for an explanation or you can ask for written reasons for the decision. A request for written reasons extends the one-month time limit by 14 days. You cannot ask for written reasons if the decision concerns incapacity benefit, maternity allowance, bereavement benefits, retirement pension, sure start maternity grant, funeral or cold weather payments.

Asking for a decision to be looked at again is called a revision. It is best to ask for a revision in writing. You should supply extra information to support your case at this stage. The decision will be looked at again and you will be notified of the outcome whether they change the decision or not. If you are still unhappy with the outcome of a revision, you then have a further month in which to appeal to an independent tribunal.

An appeal should be made in writing, identifying the decision which you are appealing and the reasons why you disagree with the decision. It is best to complete the form GL24 - ‘If you think our decision is wrong’ available from jobcentre plus Tel 0800 055 6688

When your appeal is received a new decision may be made. If this is favourable to you, the appeal will stop and if you are still unhappy you will need to appeal again. If the decision is not changed it will proceed to tribunal

An independent tribunal will then look at your appeal. This can be done on paper or through attending the tribunal hearing where you will have an opportunity to explain why you disagree with the decision. We always recommend that you choose an oral hearing as this gives you the opportunity to discuss your case. If you are unhappy with the tribunal’s decision you may be able to appeal to the social security commissioners. Time limits apply – seek advice.

For information on how to challenge tax credits decisions select the link entitled challenging decisions on the right hand side of the page.