If you think your Housing Benefit is wrong you can ask us:
- for more information about the decision we made
- ask us to check your claim
- appeal against your claim
Asking for more information
If you want more information about our decision you must contact us immediately. You can:
- email Benefits@newcastle.gov.uk
- phone 0191 278 7878 and ask for 'Housing Benefit'
Our phone lines are open:
- Monday from 8am to 6pm
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8am to 4pm
Checking your application
If you want us to check your application you must contact us immediately. A check must be done within one month of the date of decision on your letter.
When you ask us to check your application:
- a different member of staff will do it
- if they think the original decision was wrong, they will change it
- if we cannot change the decision, we will send you a letter telling you we cannot change it.
The letter will confirm the original decision. It will also tell you if you can appeal against the decision.
Appealing the decision
You must appeal the decision within one month of the date on the decision letter. An appeal tribunal will look at your appeal and make a decision on your amount of benefit.
Appeal your housing benefit award
Housing Benefit Tribunal
If we do not change our original decision we will send your appeal to the Tribunal Service. We will send:
- your appeal form
- an explanation of the law and facts we used to make our decision
- any other relevant documents
We will send you and your representatives a copy of the same papers. Please read them carefully. If you do not understand something ask us, an advice centre or solicitor.
There are two types of hearings:
- a document hearing where the decision is made on the papers given to them
- an oral hearing, which you need to request, and attend in person
If you request an oral hearing the tribunal can ask you questions, and you can ask them questions too. You can take someone with you.
We will give you a decision notice explaining the tribunal’s decision as soon as possible.