Appeals Guide - direct access to expert appeals barrister

 

 

 

 

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Contact Ian Jones (email preferred):

legal@direct-barrister.com

Tel:  07771 961 962    Fax:  0116 312 0180

Advice can be provided urgently if required, but please note that Ian Jones does not provide a free legal advice service and will require a signed contract before undertaking any work.

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Benefits & Social Security Appeals

Millions of decisions about benefits and social security are made each year by a range of public bodies.  Despite the wide range of benefits covered, almost all of their decisions are subject to a broadly similar two stage process of internal review followed by independent appeal.

If you disagree with any of the following benefits or social security decisions, you should write first to the office dealing with your application:

 

Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

Income Support

Incapacity Benefit

Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)

Tax office (HMRC)

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Tax credits

Child Benefit

Local council

Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit

Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission Decisions on child support maintenance (CSA)

 

The first step is usually to write to the office to ask a senior officer to review the decision.  The time limit varies slightly between the various bodies but is usually one month from the date of the decision.

If you still disagree, you have the right of appeal to the independent Tribunals Service.  You must submit your appeal to the office that made the original decision (not to the Tribunals Service) within one month of the review decision (or of the original decision, if it has not been reviewed).  The time limit can be extended by up to 12 months with special reasons.

 

You must set out your grounds of appeal and supply as much evidence in support as possible.  There are over 200,000 such appeals each year, and most people who make an appeal choose to get professional help and support.  Although funding is not generally available, costs are not awarded and you may recover out-of-pocket expenses for the hearing.  Appeals are heard within about 6 months.  You can choose for the case to be decided on paper or at a hearing, which will be at a venue local to you.  The decision is final unless there is an error of law or process.

 

Benefits Appeal Factsheet COMING SOON

 

benefits/social security appeal hearing?