See Also
Weblinks
Contact Us
Email:
Benefits@thanet.gov.uk
Phone:
from 9am to 5.30pm. If your family name begins:
A-Don call (01843) 577554
Doo-Ker call
(01843) 577555
Kes-Ric call
(01843) 577556
Rid-Z call (01843) 577551
Fax: 01843 577532
or Visit our
offices
Reviews & appeals
This information is only a general guide, and is not a full
and authoritative statement of the law. Contact the Benefits
Service for more information.
The following explains what you can do if you disagree with
a decision the Benefits Service has made.
What can I do if I am not satisfied with how you have worked
out my benefit?
If you would like more information about how your benefit is
worked out, you must write to the Benefit Service asking for full
details. If you are doing this because you are thinking of
appealing, you must do it straight away.
There is a one month time limit for appealing,
but this will be extended by the amount of time it takes us to send
you your details.
What if I am still unhappy with your decision?
You can ask us to look at our decision again by writing to us.
The Benefits Service must receive your letter within one
month of the date on your notification letter.
We will check again how we have worked out your benefit, then we
will write to you with the result and details of any further right
of appeal.
If our decision was wrong we will change it.
As long as you have written to us within one month (or have
special reasons for any delay), your benefit will be changed from
the date of our original decision. If we receive your letter after
one month and there were no special reasons for delay, your benefit
will usually be changed from the Monday after we receive your
letter.
Who can appeal against your decision?
Only certain people have the right of appeal. This is usually
only the claimant and, in certain circumstances in a payment direct
case or benefit overpayment recovery, the landlord.
If you want to appeal against our decision you must tell us
this, in writing, giving us full details of all your reasons for
appealing, and sign your letter. The Benefits Service must
receive your appeal within one
month of the date of the decision letter.
We will check your benefit again. If we agree that it is wrong
and the new amount is more, we will change your benefit and your
appeal will stop.
If we agree the amount of benefit you get is wrong, but the new
amount should be less we will send you details of
this. Your appeal will continue, but against the new decision. You
will have one month to make any comments against the new
decision.
If we still cannot change our decision we will send your appeal
to the Tribunals Service. We will also send an explanation of how
and why the Benefits Service made its decision. We will send you a
copy of this and a form called a TAS1. If you want your appeal to
continue you must fill in the TAS1 and send it within 14 days to
the Tribunals Service.
Late Appeals
If the Benefits Service receives your written request for appeal
more than one month after the date of the decision letter, the
Tribunals Service may not accept your appeal.
If you are appealing late, as well as giving your reasons for
appeal you should give the reasons why your appeal is late. You
will be told if your late appeal has been accepted.
The Tribunals Service
Your appeal will be dealt with by the Tribunals Service – it is
independent of Thanet District Council.
You will have the choice of a paper hearing – where you do not
attend but just send in any further information, or an oral hearing
that you can go to, ask questions, and where the tribunal may ask
you questions.
As soon as possible after the hearing the Tribunals Service will
tell you of its decision in writing.
If you win your appeal, we will change your benefit as soon as
possible after the Tribunals Service tells us of its decision.
What if I disagree with the Tribunal’s decision?
If you do not agree with the tribunal’s decision you may be able
to appeal to the Social Security Commissioners. To do this you will
need to apply to appeal to the Commissioners. The process is
complex and you should get qualified advice.
An appeal to the Commissioners can only be made on the grounds
that the appeal tribunal made an error in a point of law.