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Appeals

What to Do If You Disagree With a Decision

If you don't understand or disagree with your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction decision, you can take 3 steps:

  1. Ask for an explanation – this is called a Statement of Reasons
  2. Request a review – this is called a Reconsideration (or Disputing the Decision for Housing Benefit and Written Notice for Council Tax Reduction)
  3. Make a formal appeal – this goes to an independent tribunal

Time Limits

  • You usually have 1 month from the date on your decision letter to take action
  • For Council Tax Reduction, appeal deadlines vary slightly – explained below

How to Contact the Council

Send a letter or email including:

  • Whether you're asking for an explanation, review, or appeal
  • Detailed reasons for your request
  • Your claim reference number, full name, and contact info
  • Details of anyone acting on your behalf

Important Note

You can’t appeal a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) decision to the Tribunal – check the DHP page for guidance.

Who Can Appeal?

  • The person claiming the benefit
  • Someone legally acting on their behalf
  • A landlord/agent (but only on certain issues like payment or overpayments)

1. Statement of Reasons (Explanation)

Housing Benefit:

  • Request within 1 month
  • If you later ask for a review or appeal, the time spent waiting for a reply doesn’t count towards your 1-month deadline

Council Tax Reduction:

  • Request within 1 month
  • If you later ask for a review or appeal, your 1-month deadline starts again

2. Reconsideration (Review)

Housing Benefit referred to as ‘Disputing a Decision’:

  • Must ask within 1 month
  • If you asked for an explanation first, that time doesn’t count
  • If you're still unhappy after review, you can appeal within 1 month of the outcome letter

Council Tax Reduction referred to as a ‘Written Notice’:

  • Must submit a Written Notice within 1 month
  • If you asked for an explanation first, the 1 month starts again from the date of reply
  • If unhappy, you can appeal within 2 months of the outcome letter
  • If no response in 2 months, you can appeal directly within 4 months of your Written Notice

3. Formal Appeal

Housing Benefit:

  • Send your appeal to the Local Authority
  • Must be made within 1 month of:
    • Your decision letter if no review
    • Your review outcome if you asked for one
  • You must explain why you think the decision is wrong
  • Late appeals (after 1 month) may be accepted with a good reason, but not after 13 months

Council Tax Reduction:

  • Appeals go to the Valuation Tribunal for Wales (VTW)
  • You must have submitted a Written Notice first
  • Appeal within:
    • 2 months of the outcome letter
    • Or if no reply, between 2–4 months after your Written Notice
  • Appeals must be made on the Valuation Tribunal for Wales (VTW) website

Tips

  • Act quickly – time limits are strict
  • Be clear and detailed about why you think the decision is wrong
  • If you're unsure, ask for a Statement of Reasons first – but don’t wait too long!

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