An appeal is a way of telling the local authority that you think a decision is wrong.
You can appeal against a decision about:
There are different processes for appealing depending on if you live in England and Wales or in Scotland.
Appealing against a Council Tax Support decision in England and Wales
In England and Wales, when you appeal against a decision, it will be looked at by an Independent Valuation Tribunal, which is completely separate from your local authority.
Action
You must make your appeal in writing.
If you appeal on the official appeal form, this can help you to give all the information that is needed.
In England:
You can get a copy of the appeal form or complete it online from the Valuation Tribunal for England website.
In Wales:
You can get a copy of the appeal form on the Valuation Tribunal for Wales website
Time limit
If you want to appeal, you have two calendar months from the date of the local authority’s final decision. This is the date shown at the top of your decision letter.
If the local authority has not replied to you with their final decision within two months, you can still appeal as long as no more than four months have passed since you wrote asking them to look at the decision again.
Late appeal
If you missed the appeal deadline for reasons out of your control, such as illness or bereavement, you may be given more time to appeal. When you appeal, you should explain why it is late.
The Valuation Tribunal will decide if you have a good reason for appealing late and if your appeal can be accepted.
The Valuation Tribunal
The Valuation Tribunal will decide if you are legally entitled to a benefit and can change a decision if they think it is wrong.
You can appeal against your council’s decision about:
The Tribunal cannot hear appeals about the contents of the council’s scheme, only about the way the scheme has been applied to your individual case.
It is important to know that the tribunal could make a decision that leaves you worse off.
The tribunal cannot:
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Change the law
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Deal with administrative complaints, like delay or poor service (see complaints about your claim)
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Consider changes of circumstances which have taken place since the decision was made. However, you may be able to make a new Council Tax Support claim.
Appealing against a Council Tax Support decision in Scotland.
Action
Appeals against Council Tax Support decisions in Scotland are handled by the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel (CTRRP). To appeal against a Council Tax Support decision in Scotland, you should complete the appeal form. You can find the form on the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel website.
Time Limit
You usually must ask for an independent review within six weeks of the date of the local authority's reply telling you about its internal review decision. This is the date shown at the top of your decision letter.
However, if the local authority has not replied to you within two months of you asking it to review its decision, you can apply for an independent review to the CTRRP.
Late appeal
If you missed the deadline for reasons out of your control, such as illness or bereavement, you may be given more time to appeal. When you appeal, you should explain why it is late.
The CTRRP will decide if you have a good reason for appealing late and if your appeal can be accepted.
Council Tax Reduction Review Panel
When it has received your request, the CTRRP will contact you to make arrangements for your hearing and ask you to give further information.
The CTRRP will provide its decision in writing.
If you are not satisfied with the CTRRP's decision, you can ask for it to be set aside if there is a good reason. You must do this within 14 days of the date that the decision was made,and you must give reasons for your request.
If the CTRRP sets aside its decision, the application for a further review must then be reconsidered. There is no further appeal. It may be possible to get a judicial review to look at the decision further. You would need to get specialist advice to do this.