If you have received a benefits notification letter that you think may be wrong you need to contact us straight away. There are time limits on how long you have to query a benefits decision.

Step 1 - Explanation

You can ask us to explain to you why we made the decision. This can be done over the phone or in writing.

Step 2 - Reconsideration

If you don't disagree with our decision then you can ask for a reconsideration. This means someone else will look at your claim for you. Please write to us within one month of your notification letter or your response from an explanation.

Step 3 - Appeal

If you do not agree with the decision regarding your reconsideration, you have the right to appeal. There are separate processes for housing benefit and council tax support:

  • Housing benefit appeals are administered by the Tribunals Service. Please put your appeal in writing to Warrington Borough Council at the address provided. This must be within one month of your reconsideration response or one month from receiving your notification letter, whichever is later. We cannot process an appeal for council tax support.
  • Council tax support appeals are administered by the Valuation Office Agency. You must make your appeal online or download the form to post to them: Valuation Tribunal website.  You cannot appeal against our actual scheme, only on how we have applied our scheme to your circumstances. You cannot send your council tax support appeal to the council.

Who can appeal?

The claimant, landlord, landlord’s agent or an appointee can appeal. A claimant has the right to request a review of all the decisions made on the claim.

A landlord may only be able to appeal against decisions relating to how they are paid and how often. If we are pursuing a landlord for repayment of a benefits overpayment they may also appeal about this.

If you want to appeal against a decision made on your claim, you need to do this in writing. If you have followed the steps above then you have one calendar month from the date you receive your reconsideration letter to appeal. If you have not followed the steps above then you have one calendar month from the date you receive your notification letter about your benefit claim.

If you disagree with our decision but contact us after the one month timescale has expired we will write and ask you for your reasons for a late dispute. This timescale can be extended up to 13 months in exceptional circumstances.