If you are unhappy about a decision that we have made, you can ask us to look at it again, this is called a ‘reconsideration’ or you can appeal.
You should contact us within one month of the date on your decision notice and send us any extra information or evidence that may support your case.
If you do this, we will look at our decision again. We may then decide to:
- change our decision - if we revise your claim, we will write and tell you
- uphold our decision - if we decide not to change our original decision, we will write to you to explain why we believe the decision is correct
If you still disagree with our decision, you have the right to ask for this to be looked at by an Independent Tribunal. This is called an appeal.
You must make your appeal in writing to us. It is important you provide full details of the reason for your appeal. You should do this within one month of the date we send you the outcome of your reconsideration request.
We will then prepare the papers and submit your appeal to the Independent Tribunal Service.
They will contact you to give you a date for a hearing, which you may wish to attend. A judge will make an independent decision about your claim and will notify you of this direct.
To begin the appeals process please complete our reconsideration request form or write to us separately. You may also seek independent advice from someone like the Citizens Advice, who may be able to help you with your appeal.