Appeal a benefits decision
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your benefit claim, then you can ask for a reconsideration or appeal the decision.
How to appeal
You need to make sure that you appeal to the right place.
State benefits decisions
You can appeal to an independent tribunal if you’re not happy with the Department for Works and Pensions' (DWP) decision on state benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.
Find out more, including how to appeal a DWP benefit decision on the Citizens Advice website (external website).
Housing benefit decisions
If you disagree with our decision about your entitlement to housing benefits, you’ll need to write to us and provide details as to why you think the decision is wrong and ask to change the decision. You must tell us why you think the decision is wrong, it is not enough to say that you do not agree with the decision.
You can send a housing benefits appeal by
- Emailing benefits@denbighshire.gov.uk
- Writing to Denbighshire County Council, Benefits Department, Russell House, Churton Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire Ll18 3DP
Your request to change the decision must be received by us within one month of the date you were sent the decision, or, if you asked for an explanation of the decision, within one month of when the explanation was sent to you.
If we feel that our decision is correct and should not be changed, your appeal will be sent to the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to arrange a tribunal.
You can get more information about housing benefits appeals on the Citizens Advice website (external website).
Council tax reduction decisions
If you disagree with our decision about your entitlement to council tax reduction, you’ll need to write to us and say why you think the decision is wrong, and ask to change the decision. You must tell us why you think the decision is wrong, it is not enough to say that you do not agree with the decision.
You can send a council tax reduction appeal by
- Emailing benefits@denbighshire.gov.uk
- Writing to Denbighshire County Council, Benefits Department, Russell House, Churton Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire Ll18 3DP
Your request to change the decision must be received by us within one month of the date you were sent the decision, or, if you asked for an explanation of the decision, within one month of when the explanation was sent to you.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for Wales (VTW). Visit the VTW website (external website).
You can get more information about council tax reduction appeals on the Citizens Advice website (external website).
When you appeal to us
The benefits department will write to let you know that they have received your appeal. If you have not heard anything after 14 days, then you should contact the department to see if they have received it.
When the department looks at your appeal, they will review their decision and if they decide that you are right, then they will write to you to confirm this. If the decision is changed but you do not agree with the result, then you will have to appeal against the new decision.
What can I do if I lose my appeal?
You may be able to appeal if there has been a legal mistake but not just because you are unhappy with the decision. If your circumstances have changed, then you may be able to make a new claim or claim a different benefit instead.