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Housing and Council Tax Benefit Decisions

When your benefit claim is processed, there are a number of decisions made on it. For example, how much your income and capital is. This affects the amount of benefit you receive.

If you think a benefit decision is wrong, you must get in touch with us within one month of the date on your notification letter, otherwise we may not be able to consider any dispute.

Using the PDF details form below, you can either:

• ask for a written explanation of the decision;
• ask us to look again at the decision and revise it;
• appeal in writing and ask for an Appeal Tribunal.

What happens after a decision is looked at again?
If the original decision can be changed we will do so and send you a new decision. If we cannot change the decision, we will write to tell you why. If you still disagree you have one month to appeal in writing, from the date of our letter.

If you want to lodge an appeal
You must write to this office very clearly stating:

• The decision you wish to appeal against and give your reasons why.
• You will need to provide evidence and information in support of your appeal, and remember this should be done within one month of receiving the Benefits decision.

write to us at:

Benefits Section
Surrey Heath Borough Council
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road
Camberley
Surrey GU15 3HD

Direct Tel: 01276 707121
Switchboard: 01276 707100
Fax: 01276 707440
benefits@surreyheath.gov.uk

Who can ask for a decision to be looked at again or make an appeal?

The benefit claimant and their partner
A person appointed to act for a claimant.
A landlord or agent where Housing Benefit is paid direct.

Making a late appeal

Sometimes the time limit for appeals may be extended. The extension must be requested in writing, providing the reasons for the request. Only the Appeals Service can decide if a late appeal can be accepted.

The Appeal Tribunal

Disputes that go to the appeal stage will be heard locally by an Appeals Tribunal based in Aldershot.

You will be asked if you want to attend but you do not have to, because a decision can be made based on the paperwork provided. If you decide to go, your travel expenses will be paid by the Appeals Service.

Download the Housing And Council Tax Benefits Appeals Service Form Opens in a new window