housing benefit process

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Getting your Housing Benefit claim correct

Councils want to make sure that you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to. But they may have overlooked something, you may have completed your application form incorrectly or maybe they have simply made a mistake.

If you are not happy with the way your benefit has been calculated the Council would need to hear from you so that the matter can be put right.

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A person affected is:

A claimant

Someone acting on behalf of the claimant who is appointed by the Courts

Someone who the Council agrees is appointed to act on behalf of the claimant

A landlord - but only in matters relating to whom payment of Benefit is to be made

An agent - but only in matters relating to whom payment of Benefit is to be mad

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What should someone do if they are not happy with the Council's decision?

The person affected can query the decision and request further information about the decision. The Council will give the person an explanation. If they are still not happy they can request a revision of the Council's decision, ask for a written "statement of reasons" or appeal.

Please note that some decisions do not carry the right to appeal.

There are various rules and regulations which tell us how to work out benefit, how to pay the benefit and how any overpayment of benefit should be recovered.

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A person affected has a right to:

know how the benefit has been calculated

challenge decisions made

ask for the claim to be looked at again

ask for an explanation of the decision made

ask for an independent appeal tribunal to look at the case

Read on About the Appeals Process

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Contents

Getting your Housing Benefit

claim correct

Who does it affect?

What should someone do if they

are not happy with a Council

decision?

A person affected has rights