Challenging a councils decision
Advice
If you disagree with the council's decision made about your claim to housing benefit, you can appeal for it to be changed, you will need to do this within one month of the decision. You can still apply after this deadline, but you will need to supply evidence of a serious circumstance that prevented you from applying earlier, such as illness or family bereavement. To appeal, you will need to explain why you are appealing and provide evidence supporting your claim.
How to Appeal
You should contact your council to discover how to appeal. You can call them or find their website on GOV.uk. You should keep a copy of the appeal letter and keep a receipt when you send it. If you need to prove that you live alone: an up-to-date tenancy agreement, a letter from your landlord or ordinary proofs of address (e.g., bills) only in your name will usually suffice.
What to include
If you are asked to write a letter, you should include:
- Your full name and address;
- Your National Insurance number;
- The date of the decision;
- Your specific reasons for disagreement; and
- Copies of, and any reference numbers provided on correspondence.
What to do if the council disagree with your appeal
If the council refuse to agree with your appeal, they should automatically send it to a tribunal.
How we can help
Lestons can help you compile the appeal so that it gives you the best chance of success. To gain our assistance you need to open a case, this is done by simply clicking on the link at the top of the page, you will then need to deposit a sum equal to one hour’s usage, upon receipt of these funds you will be assigned your personal caseworker who will telephone you to discuss the matter and make suggestions on how to proceed. Please note your caseworker can only give generic advice, their role is to prepare your details for handling by our legal team and to act as your point of contact, they will also issue you with your Password and PIN, these will be needed to log onto your client dashboard. From your dashboard you will be able to manage and view every aspect of your case, upload documents, images, files etc.