Housing benefit - appeals

If you feel that a decision made in the assessment of your Housing or Council Tax Support claim is wrong you can ask for that decision to be looked at again.

You normally have one calendar month from the date of our decision letter to do this. This must be in writing. We may not be able to change the decision if you do not write to us within one calendar month of the decision you disagree with.

Please send your letter to:

Derby Benefits
Derby City Council
The Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS

If we decide that our original decision was right, but you still disagree with it, or you think it is wrong, you have the right to make an appeal to an independent tribunal against the original decision.

You should ask us in writing for an appeal. If the reconsideration request is received on time (or is treated as being received on time), you have one calendar month to appeal against the original decision. This appeal must be done in writing.

In your letter, you should include:

• which decision you do not agree with and the date of that decision
• the reasons why you think our decision is wrong
• any appeal must be signed by the person affected.

We will then write to tell you if we have changed our original decision and provide you with an explanation.

If we are unable to alter our decision we will prepare your case for an Independent Tribunal.

These are administered by the HM Courts and Tribunals Service. We will send both you and the HM Courts and Tribunals Service a copy of our response. You can choose an oral or paper based hearing. The tribunal will then make a decision on your appeal.

If you would like any independent advice regarding our decisions, you can contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

You can also contact Derby Advice for free, confidential and independent advice.

Contact us

Derby Advice

You can contact Derby Advice for free, confidential and independent advice.

Telephone: 01332 643394 (10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday)
Fax: 01332 256560
Email: derby.advice@derbyhomes.org

Our reception at Derby Advice is open at the Council House, Corporation Street, Derby, DE1 2FS, 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday.

Derby Benefits - Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support enquiries

Telephone: 01332 640000
Email: enquiries.benefits@derby.gov.uk

Overpayment team

Telephone: 01332 640000
Email: hbopay.enquiries@derby.gov.uk

Council Tax team

Telephone: 01332 640000
Email: council.tax@derby.gov.uk