What if I
don't agree with a decision you have made?
If you do not agree with a decision we have
made, you can ask us for an explanation of the decision or a
statement of reasons for the decision. You can do this by phone or
in writing or in person. You should do this within one month of the
date of the decision we have made.
If you do not agree with our decision and want
to appeal against it, you must write to us saying which decision
you do not agree with and why you do not agree with it. Your
written appeal must be received within one month of the date of our
original decision, otherwise we may not be able to consider your
appeal. When working out the one month time limit, we can ignore
any time that it has taken for us to provide you with an
explanation or a statement of reasons.
If we cannot change our decision and you have appealed, we will
send details of the disputed decision to the
Tribunal
Service, who will arrange to have your case heard. Your appeal
will be considered by a legally qualified person and you will have
the chance to put your case personally or be accompanied by a
representative who can help you. The legally qualified person will
consider the law that has been used to make our decision and will
take into account any facts you may have raised in your appeal
letter or at the hearing. If they make a decision that you still do
not agree with (or we do not agree with) there is the possibility
of a further appeal to the Social Security Commissioners.
Further Benefits FAQs.