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Renfrewshire Community Plan 2008 - 2017 Benefits appeals procedures
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If the Department of Works and Pensions make a decision about your benefit claim which you are unhappy about, you have a right of appeal.
To speak to an advisor about appealing a benefit decision or any other welfare rights problems contact our helpline number.
Benefit and Debt helpline: 01505 381055 or alternatively contact the Advice Works office for an appointment at any of our outreach locations.
This page provides information on the different stages in the appeals process, including approximate timescales for each step. The links below will explain each step:
When you submit an appeal, all the information and reports about your claim will be gathered into a set of papers, known as the submission which can take up to 8 weeks to be received. If you have nominated an organisation or a friend to assist as your representatives, they will normally receive a copy of this submission too, but please keep your copy safe.
The Tribunal Service Statistics show that it is better to have an oral hearing rather than a paper hearing and that if you are represented, there is a better chance of winning than if you go alone.
There will be a form called a TAS1 in the same envelope as your submission. This form must be completed and returned to The Tribunal Service within 14 days. Please contact your representative for assistance in completing your TAS1.
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Step Two
Once your TAS1 form has been posted to the Tribunal Service, the next contact may be up to 4 months later, when you will receive your appeal date and time. Your representative will also be informed. During this time, please keep your representative and the Tribunal Service informed of any changes, for example, moving to a new address, planned hospital admissions or holidays.
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Step Three
You should meet with your representative who will be going to the appeal with you to prepare your submission to the tribunal. Make plenty of time for this as you may need to gather further medical evidence or reports from organisations you are in contact with.
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Step Four
On the day of your appeal, your representative will meet you at the Tribunal Service building. You may bring a companion to travel with you, and any travel expenses that you have will be refunded, but you must provide your tickets. If you are unable to travel by public transport and require a taxi, you must telephone the Tribunal Service in advance to request permission and explain why you need a taxi. If permission is granted, you must provide a receipt from the driver or you will not be reimbursed.
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Step Five
The number of people that sit on your appeal tribunal will range from one to three, depending on the type of appeal.
The chairperson is always a lawyer, one tribunal member will have a medical background and if there is a third person, they usually have a practical knowledge of disability issues.The members of the tribunal have the same submission that you have, and do not have any hidden information. The tribunal will ask you questions relating to your appeal, and the chairperson will keep a written record of your answers. At the end of the tribunal, you will normally receive a decision that same day, but in some cases the tribunal may have to post your decision out to you.
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Step Six
If your appeal is successful, your representative will complete a benefit check for you and assist with any other benefit claims that have to be made. The Tribunal Service will send a copy of your decision notice to the Department of Work and Pensions who will act on this decision. This stage may take up to 8 weeks to complete.
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If your appeal is unsuccessful, your representative will advise what further action should be taken.
The timescales contained within this page are intended as guidelines only.
If you live in Renfrewshire and would like to be represented at a benefits appeal or for more information call in at one of our drop in sessions or contact our main office for further help and advice. For details of our drop in follow link to benefits and debt advice under 'related content'
Renfrewshire Advice Works
- email: adviceworks@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone: 01505 382328 - for further information or an appointment at any of our advice surgeries or 01505 381055 benefit and debt helpline
- fax: 01505 381058
- call in or write to us at: Advice Works, 8 Collier Street, Johnstone, PA5 8AR
Please contact us as soon as possible to avoid having your case adjourned or postponed.
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