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Easter bin collections

All bin collections following a bank holiday will now take place one day late from 29 March to 6 April. See our Easter Bin Collection page for further details.

Online and telephone payments

Due to a fault, our online and telephone payment services are currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience caused while our service provider works to fix the problem.

If you disagree with our benefit decision

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1. If you disagree with our housing benefit decision

If you disagree with our Housing Benefit decision you can:

  • ask us to send you a letter explaining our decision. This is called a written statement of reasons (you must do this in writing within one month of the date of the decision)

  • ask us to look at our decision again (you must do this in writing within one month of the date of the decision)

  • ask for an independent appeals tribunal to look at the decision. You must ask for this in writing within one month of the date of the decision or 14 days from receipt of a statement of reasons. The appeals tribunal can accept appeals up to 13 months from the date of the decision, but only in special circumstances.

We want to make sure you fully understand the reasons for our decision. The first 2 options above give us the opportunity to discuss the case before passing it to the Tribunals Service.

What should I do if I want more information about my decision?

Just contact us and ask. If you want a written explanation, we will send you one. You must do this in writing within one month of the date of the decision.

What should I do if I want you to look at my decision again?

You must ask for this in writing. You should tell us what you think is wrong and why you think it is wrong. You must do this within one month of the date of the decision or receipt of a statement of reasons. Appeals can be submitted by using our Contact Us form and selecting the Benefits and Welfare service.

What will we do?

We will look at your decision again. We will let you know whether we have changed it or not. In our letter we will tell you what your options are. But if you still disagree with our decision, contact us and together we will discuss your next step.

What if I am late in asking you to look at the decision again?

We may accept a late request up to 13 months from the date of the decision. You must make the late request in writing and say what you disagree with and why. You must also say why you are late.

What should I do if I want the decision to be looked at by an independent appeals tribunal?

You must ask for this in writing within one month of the date of the decision letter or 14 days from receipt of a statement of reasons. We will still look at the decision again. If we can change it and you agree with the new decision, your appeal will stop. If we cannot change the decision in your favour, we will send your appeal to the Tribunals Service.