Appeals Pack

Helping you appeal benefit decisions

You should appeal benefit decisions you are not happy with. Starting the appeal process is quite easy - it just involves choosing a letter, filling in the blanks and sending it. You can get more support later in the process.

This page tells you how to appeal and lets you print information and letters that you can use. 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) who pay most benefits, changed the process for appealing in late 2013. You now have to ask for a 'mandatory reconsideration'. If you're not happy with the result of the review you can then appeal. This affects Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and other benefits.

We've produced a benefits appeals pack, with the main information you need. We will be putting copies of this in Glasgow Libraries, doctors' surgeries, social work offices, and other places you might go. You don't need a copy of the pack to use this page - everything you need is on here.

The rules and addresses for appealing change from time to time, so some papers are not in the printed pack. We suggest you just print the appeal letters from this page as you need them. This means you will always get the newest and best versions.

You can either print the whole pack or use our step by step guide to print what you need at each stage. If you don't have a way to print from this page any Glasgow Library will do this for you free of charge.

Get representation. Glasgow City Council Appeals Team will represent you. They will do this free for anyone living in the city, and you can phone them on 0141 287 8732. If you prefer you can arrange representation through the GAIN helpline 0808 801 1011, or go to your local advice agency.

Below is a step by step guide with links to read and print the letters and information you need at each step.

The Appeals Process Step by Step

You can print an  Appeal Checklist [93kb] to keep and tick off when you have done each step. This has more detail and space for you to write down dates or other notes. 

You can also print off  Benefits and Abbreviations list [14kb] used in this pack.

1.	If you get a letter about a benefit decision from the DWP that you are not happy with - keep a copy of the letter and follow the steps below
2.	Ask the DWP for a reconsideration of their decision. Print this letter asking for a Review [14kb], fill in the blanks and send to DWP
3.	Wait on a reconsideration letter from the DWP  This letter will be called a ' Mandatory Reconsideration Notice letter [89kb]'.  Keep this letter - you will need it to appeal.
4.	Appeal - if you are not happy with the decision  You need to do this in writing within one month of the date on your review decision letter (mandatory reconsideration notice) from the DWP. Choose the letter from the list below, fill in the blanks and post to the address on the letter, with a copy of the letter they sent you (mandatory reconsideration notice). Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) if you have been refused this use the  Job Seeker's Allowance Appeal Letter [115kb] Has your JSA been stopped or reduced for not accepting a job offer or attending interview, work or training? Use the  Job Seeker's Allowance Good Reason's Appeal Letter [112kb] Employment Support Allowance (ESA) if you feel you have not been given enough 'points' for your health, use the Point Letter:   Job Seeker's Allowance Good Reason's Appeal Letter [76kb] OR, if you had good reasons for not taking part in work, training or health assessments, use the'good reasons' letter:   Employment and Support Allowance Good Reasons Appeal [90kb] As soon as you put in an appeal for ESA, you can ask the DWP to pay you ESA while you are waiting on your appeal Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Get advice before appealing as there is a chance you could lose benefits you are already getting.  Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance Entitlement Appeal Letter [92kb]  Personal Independance Payments (PIP) Appeal Letter [99kb] Bedroom Tax letter  Bedroom Tax appeal letter [93kb] DWP Overpayment letter  Department for Work & Pensions - Benefits Overpayment Appeal Letter [96kb] Universal Credit  General Universal Credit Appeal letter [35kb]  General Universal Credit Mandatory Reconsideration Appeal Letter [42kb]  Universal Credit Housing Costs Element Appeal Letter [33kb]  Universal Credit Overpayment Appeal Letter [51kb]  Universal Credit Points Appeal Letter [50kb]  Universal Credit Right to Reside Appeal Letter [44kb]  Universal Credit Sanctions Appeal Letter [45kb] Get representation. Glasgow City Council Appeals Team will represent you. They will do this free for anyone living in the city, and you can phone them on 0141 287 8732. If you prefer you can arrange representation through the GAIN helpline 0808 801 1011, or go to your local advice agency
5.	Once your appeal is in - claim any other benefits and/or hardship payments    Read  money while you are appealing [21kb]. If you are appealing ESA,   use this letter to ask DWP [12kb] to make payments while you are waiting on your appeal. Collect medical or other evidence - if you need help with this speak to your support worker, advice agency or contact GAIN or the Councils Appeal Team (0141 287 8732).
6.	The Tribunal Service consider your appeal The Tribunal Service is independent from the DWP. They will check your appeal, ask the DWP to explain their decision and arrange for your appeal hearing for you. If you have not already done this (at step 4) organise your representation as soon as possible. The Tribunal Service will send you a questionnaire called a Tribunal Enquiry Form. Fill this in to tell them about any changes in your details or address, any dates you are not available to attend a hearing and who your representative is. Return your form to the address on the form.
7.	You get an invitation to your appeal hearing If you can't make that date (for example due to being in hospital) or can't get a representative, you can ask for a new date - contact your representative or GAIN for further advice
8.	Attend your appeal hearing and receive your decision  Your representative will speak to you and prepare you for the tribunal and then advise you about the outcome of your tribunal. The Tribunal will try to issue a decision on the day.  If you are successful there may be other benefits you are entitled to receive. If you are refused then your representative will provide you with advice about what to do next.
9.	You have a right to  comment or complain about how you and your claim are treated [24kb].

 

Print the whole pack

You can print the papers for the appeals pack here. This includes everything apart from the appeal letters for each benefit - for those just print the ones you need. 

•  Appeal Pack [230kb]

Appeal letters for each benefit - Print the letters that apply to you.

•  Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance Entitlement Appeal Letter [92kb]
•  Employment and Support Allowance Points Appeal Letter [76kb]
•  Employment and Support Allowance Good Reasons Appeal [90kb]
•  Ask DWP to make payments while you wait on your ESA appeal [12kb]
•  Job Seeker's Allowance Appeal Letter [115kb]
•  Job Seeker's Allowance Good Reason's Appeal Letter [112kb]
•  Department for Work & Pensions - Benefits Overpayment Appeal Letter [96kb]
•  Personal Independance Payments (PIP) Appeal Letter [99kb]
•  Bedroom Tax Appeal Letter [93kb]
•  Housing Benefit Appeal Letter [51kb]
•  Tax Credits Mandatory Reconsideration letter [58kb]
•  Tax Credit Overpayment Appeal [56kb]
•  General Universal Credit Appeal letter [35kb]
•  General Universal Credit Mandatory Reconsideration Appeal Letter [42kb]
•  Universal Credit Housing Costs Element Appeal Letter [33kb]
•  Universal Credit Overpayment Appeal Letter [51kb]
•  Universal Credit Points Appeal Letter [50kb]
•  Universal Credit Right to Reside Appeal Letter [44kb]
•  Universal Credit Sanctions Appeal Letter [45kb]

More useful links

►  GAIN - free advice in Glasgow

►  'What you need to know' - includes postcards and pocket guide

►  Poverty Leadership Panel

This information is available in alternative formats and languages. Please let us know what you need:

Phone (0141) 287 0411

Email equality@glasgow.gov.uk