Tendring District Council

Listen

When we have processed your claim or change in circumstance we will send you a letter. This letter will outline how your claim was worked out. If you do not agree with our decision you have a legal right to challenge.

So if you don't agree you can;

Ask us for a more detailed reason for our decision

If you still disagree then you can;

Ask for a reconsideration of the decision

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reconsideration

There are different rules depending on whether you get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

Housing Benefit Reconsideration

You must ask for a Housing Benefit Reconsideration within one month of the date of your decision.

Once you have asked for a reconsideration we will write to you to tell you whether we have changed or kept our original decision.

Council Tax Reduction Reconsideration

There is no time limit, but we would suggest that you ask for the reconsideration within one month of the date of our decision letter.

We have two months to reply to you. If, after we have replied to you, you are still not happy with our decision, you can appeal with the Valuation Tribunal. This must be done within two months of the date of our reconsideration decision letter to you.

If we do not reply to your request within two months you can appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal without waiting for our reply.

How to ask for Reconsideration

You can write to us. It is important that you:

Make it clear what decision you want us to look at again/disagree with
Include your claim number
Say why you think we are wrong
Include any information or evidence you think we don't already have

Please address to:

Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Scheme Office

88-90 Pier Avenue

Clacton on Sea

Essex

CO15 1TN

If you still disagree the last stage is to;

Appeal to an independent appeal tribunal

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Appeals

There are different rules depending on whether you get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

If you get Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction you will need to do two separate appeals.

Housing Benefit Appeals

You can ask for the Tribunals Service (an independent organisation) to look at your case at an appeals tribunal.

If we have already reconsidered your claim and have not changed the decision, you must write and ask for an appeal within one month from the date of the letter confirming our original decision.

Council Tax Reduction Appeals

If we:

Have not replied to your request for reconsideration within the two month time limit

We have replied, but you are still unhappy with the decision (must be within two months of the reconsideration decision letter)

You can write to the Valuation Tribunal directly to ask for an appeal. We can not do this for you. You will need to fill in an appeal form which you can find on their Website.

Appeal Form

The appeal will be heard by an independent person who will consider the reasons we put forward and the reasons you think they are wrong. You will have the right to attend the hearing and you may want to take a representative with you.