Benefits Payments – JSA, DLA, tax credits

If you think a decision about your benefits is wrong, you can ask the office that made the decision to explain it. You can also ask to get the decision reconsidered and, if you're still unhappy, you can appeal against the decision to an independent tribunal.

If you disagree with a benefits decision

When the benefits office sends you a letter about their decision, if you do not agree, you can ask them to explain or reconsider it.
If you're unhappy with a reconsidered decision you can appeal.
You can ask for an explanation or reconsideration of every decision, but some benefit decisions cannot be appealed.
For example, you can't appeal against decisions on Budgeting Loans, Community Care Grants or Crisis Loans. The decision letter will make it clear if it can't be appealed.

Deadlines

You have one month:

• after getting a decision to ask for it to be explained, reconsidered or to appeal
• after getting a reconsidered decision to start an appeal

A late appeal may be accepted if you have special circumstances that prevented you appealing in time, but not if more than 13 months have passed.

How to appeal

Information on how to appeal is normally included in the decision letter.
In most cases, it involves filling in the appeal form in the leaflet: 'If you think our decision is wrong' and posting it to the benefits office dealing with your claim.
You can pick up the leaflet at your local benefits office or download it, below, from the Department for Work and Pensions website.

• DWP booklet: 'If you think our decision is wrong' (PDF, 109K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files
• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

But if you are appealing in these cases follow the procedures below:

Child Maintenance

If you don't agree with a decision made by the Child Support Agency (CSA), you can contact the CSA centre that made the decision. (Their contact details will be on the letter explaining the decision.)
If you're not happy with the outcome, you can write to the CSA Central Appeals Unit.

• Address for the CSA Central Appeals Unit Opens new window

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

These benefits are handled by your local council, so you'd normally contact your local council office to query the decision and follow their appeals procedure.
Follow the links below to your local authority website to find out more.

• Appeal against a Council Tax Benefit decision Opens new window
• Appeal against a Housing Benefit decision Opens new window

Benefits for disabled people

If you have any queries about Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, call the Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance Helpline, 08457 123 456, textphone 08457 224 433 (7.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday).
If you're not satisfied with the results, you may be able to appeal by using the DWP form 'If you think our decision is wrong'.

• DWP booklet: 'If you think our decision is wrong' (PDF, 109K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

Tax credits

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) makes decisions about tax credits.
You can download the appeal form online, below, or you can call the Tax Credits helpline.
If you live in England, Scotland and Wales call 0845 300 3900, textphone 0845 300 3909.
If you live in  Northern Ireland call 0845 603 2000, textphone 0845 607 6078.
Lines are open every day from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.

• Download the tax credits appeal form (PDF document, 111.20K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

Child Benefit and Guardians Allowance

These benefits are also handled by HMRC, appeal forms are available online or by phoning the helpline.
You can call the HMRC helpline 0845 302 1444, textphone 0845 302 1474.