Benefits and support If you disagree with our decision on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

Independent appeal tribunals for Housing Benefit and outstanding Council Tax Benefit appeals

You can appeal about Housing Benefit to an appeal tribunal:

  • If you ask us to change our decision and we don't change it.
  • If you prefer to go straight to a tribunal instead of asking us to change the decision. You must make it clear in your letter to us if you want to do this.

They also hear outstanding appeals about Council Tax Benefit. 

The tribunal is organised by the Tribunals Service and is independent of the Council. There is only one member. They will have a legal qualification.

You can go and put your case at the hearing, usually in central Manchester, but you don't have to, and you will still get a written decision.

They don't hear appeals about Council Tax Support.

To appeal to an independent tribunal

  • Write to the Appeals Officer, PO Box 3, Manchester, M15 5BA.
  • Be very clear about which decision you are appealing - say why you think it's wrong and give any extra information and evidence you think should be considered.
  • Sign the letter yourself.
If we, the Benefits Service, can change our decision, we'll change it and send you a new decision.
 
If we can't change our decision, we'll prepare papers that explain our decision for the tribunal and then we'll send copies to you and the Tribunal Service.

The Tribunal Service will send you a pre-hearing enquiry form to return to them within 14 days.

If you don't return the form within 14 days they will cancel your appeal.

Taking your appeal further

If you think the tribunal's decision is legally wrong you have the right of appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

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