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 still 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 if we do not agree with!) there is the
possibility of a further appeal to the Social Security
Commissioners.
Further Benefits FAQs.