Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Appeals

Time Limit
The letter we sent you will tell you how your benefit has been worked out. You have 1 month from the date of this letter to contact us. If you do not contact us within the 1 month limit we may not be able to look again at any decision we made when working out your benefit.

Late request
If there are special reasons why you delayed contacting us we may allow a late request. You would need to tell us in writing the reasons for the delay.

What can I request?

• Ask for more information
• Ask us to look again at the way we worked out your benefit
• an appeal to an independent tribunal

You can choose which stage to start at but if you request an appeal we would still have to look at your claim before sending it to the Tribunal Service.

Ask us for more information
If you are unsure how we have worked out your benefit you can call us or write to us to ask for further information. The one month limit will be extended by the number of days you waited for us to give you the information.

Ask us to look again at the way we worked out your benefit
Your request must be in writing and be signed. You need to tell us as fully as possible why you are not happy with the way we worked out your benefit. Tell us which part you do not agree with and why you do not agree, such as your income, savings, people included or the date your benefit has been awarded from. If you disagree with the date your benefit has been awarded from the Backdating your claim section contains more information. If you prefer the form 'Request to Look Again at my Claim' in the download box below may be used.

An independent member of staff will look at your request and write to you to tell you of the outcome. If your benefit is altered you will be sent a letter telling you how your benefit has now been worked out and that you again have 1 month to contact us if you are not happy, as detailed above under What can I request.

If we cannot alter the way we worked out your benefit we will write to you explaining why. This letter will also tell you if you have the right of appeal and of the 1 month limit to do so.

Ask to Appeal to an Independent Tribunal
Your request must be in writing and be signed. It should be sent to the benefit office at 16 Church Road. If we have not already done so we will look again at the way we worked out your benefit and if we can alter the decision we will do so and write to you. If we cannot alter our decision full details of your claim will be referred to the independent Tribunals Service. The Tribunals Service will contact you directly. You will be asked if you would like an oral hearing or a paper hearing. For more information about how the Tribunals Service operates view the external link on the left.


How can I get independent help with my appeal?
The agencies below will be able to give you help and advice.

Stockton & District Advice & Information Service (CAB)
Bath Lane
Stockton on Tees
TS18 2EQ
Telephone (01642) 607445

Stockton Welfare Rights
Billingham Council Offices
Town Square
Billingham
TS23 2LW
Telephone (01642) 526141

The leaflet What to do if you think the decision about your Benefit is wrong is contained in the external link.