Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

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How to appeal

You may have to ask for permission to appeal - it depends on your case.

If you’re appealing a decision made by another tribunal

You must get permission to appeal.

First ask the tribunal who made the decision for permission to appeal. You usually have to do this within 28 days of the decision - speak to that tribunal to find out the deadline.

Once you have permission, download and fill in the relevant appeal form. Send it to the address on the form within 1 month of getting permission.

If you’re refused permission

You can ask the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) for permission directly using the relevant permission form. Send it to the address on the form within 1 month of being refused.

If you’re appealing a decision made by an organisation

You will not need to ask for permission to appeal (unless you’re appealing a decision made by Disclosure and Barring Service).

Appeal using the relevant appeal form and send it to the address on the form.

Appealing a Disclosure and Barring Service decision

You’ll need to ask the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) for permission before you can appeal.

Use the relevant permission form and send it to the address on the form.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Challenge and appeal a benefit decision: step by step

  1. Step 1 Find support and advice

    You can get free support and advice from:

    1. You can also seek advice from a legal adviser or solicitor

  2. Step 2 Ask for mandatory reconsideration

    1. Ask for the benefits decision to be looked at again (mandatory reconsideration)

    You normally need to do this within one month of the date on your decision letter.

  3. Step 3 Appeal the decision to a tribunal

    If you’re unhappy with the decision after mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal it to a tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal

  4. Step 4 Ask for the tribunal's decision to be 'set aside' (cancelled)

    If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for it to be set aside (cancelled). The decision letter from the tribunal will tell you how to do this.

  5. or Appeal the tribunal's decision

    If you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, you can appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

  6. and Check if you can get legal aid

    You may be eligible for legal aid to help you appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Check if you can get legal aid