the date of the decision. They might take off too much if you don’t show how much your child is earning. your full name and address. Letter template: Housing benefit backdate request. They should decide more quickly if they know this. They should automatically send your appeal to a tribunal if they:Please tell us more about why our advice didn't help.Read what we're saying about a range of issuesoverlooked a piece of evidence you sent themIf you don’t hear from the council for a month after you sent your appeal, write to the Monitoring Officer at Housing Benefits and say the delay in dealing with your case amounts to maladministration.someone in your family was seriously illchanged the decision in a way that’s worse for you - like reducing your Housing Benefit even moreexplain your reasons to an independent tribunal - if the council doesn't agree with youYour landlord can’t make you move out straight away - they have to follow the right process.any reference numbers on your Housing Benefit lettersmisunderstood some evidence you sent your National Insurance number, if you canyou made a mistake when working out the deadline If you’re in touch with the person the council think you live with, ask them for a copy of a recent bill or their tenancy agreement.
If they ask you to write a letter, write ‘Appeal’ at the top of your letter and include: any reference numbers on your Housing Benefit letters. If the council are still checking whether you’re entitled to Housing Benefit, you’ll need to wait until they’ve decided. The most important part is explaining why the decision is wrong. Describe any evidence you’re sending to the council and how it supports your reasons for disagreeing with their decision.It’s free to appeal, and you don’t need a solicitor or other legal help.You’ll need to write to the council to explain why you think they made an official error. The council will still look at the decision if they agree you couldn’t appeal in time.A right to reside is a right for someone from the EU or EEA to claim certain benefits in the UK. The law can vary in different parts of the UK.Send it to the address on the decision letter.you needed help doing it because your situation made it harder for you to do the appeal - for example, because of disability or illnessAdvice for other parts of the UK:You should also send copies of one or more of the following:The council could decide to reduce or stop your Housing Benefit when they look at your claim again. Get evidence to send with your appeal if you can - like payslips to show your income, or a letter from your doctor to show what medical condition you have.
The most important part is explaining why the decision is wrong. For example, copies of payslips if the council have wrong information about your wages.You can ask the council to review a decision about your housing benefit claim.You can write to your council’s housing benefit department to ask for an appeal at the first-tier tribunal. Send a request by email, fill in an online form or use our sample letter to report repairs. As well as household bills, this could be an entertainment subscription - for example Sky or Netflix.If you’re from the EU or EEA, the council might say you can’t get Housing Benefit because you don’t have a ‘right to reside’. A bill from another address will help prove they don’t live with you. The tribunal is called HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).you couldn’t get advice in timethe council should have looked at it - even though it was lateThe council will look at your Housing Benefit decision again when they receive your appeal. For example, they might cancel some of your overpayment but not all of it.Look at your decision letter and list each of the statements you disagree with and why.
in writing with a housing benefit appeal letter; within one calendar month of the date on the decision letter or written explanation (if you've requested a statement of reasons).
If you have delayed making a claim for housing benefit, it may be possible for your claim to be backdated. Get a receipt stating the date you provided the information.If they ask for more information, you’ll usually have 1 month to provide it.Use your council's complaints process if you’re not satisfied with how your claim or review has been dealt with.If you’re entitled to increased housing benefit payments, the council must backdate these to the date of the original decision as long as you asked for a review in the time limit.