Appeal a benefit decision
Submit your appeal
You can appeal a decision about your entitlement to benefits, for example Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit.
Before you appeal
Before you can appeal, you usually need to ask for the decision about your benefits to be looked at again. This is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’.
You’ll need to provide your mandatory reconsideration notice when applying.
If you do not need a mandatory reconsideration your decision letter will say why. Include this explanation when you submit your appeal.
Appeal online
You’ll need:
- your National Insurance number
- the details of the representative helping with your appeal (if you’re using one)
- your mandatory reconsideration notice (or the reason you did not need to have a mandatory reconsideration - this is in your decision letter)
You’ll need to choose whether you want to go to the tribunal hearing to explain your appeal in person. If you do not attend, your appeal will be decided on your appeal form and any supporting evidence you provide.
Continue with an existing appeal
Sign in to continue with your saved benefit appeal application.
If you need help appealing online
Who you contact depends on the type of help you need.
If you’re having technical issues or need guidance about how to appeal
You can use the web chat in the service to get help.
You can only access the web chat if you’re using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari.
If you cannot access the web chat, contact the benefit appeals helpline listed at the end of this page.
If you do not have access to the internet or do not feel confident using it
We Are Group
support@wearegroup.com
Telephone: 03300 160 051
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Text FORM to 60777 and someone will call you back
Find out about call charges
Appealing by post
Use form SSCS1 to appeal a benefits decision by post, except if it’s related to a Vaccine Damage Payment.
Use form SSCS2 to appeal a Child Maintenance decision by post. You cannot appeal a Child Maintenance decision online.
Use form SSCS5 to appeal an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) decision by post. You cannot appeal an HMRC decision online.
Use form SSCS7 to appeal a decision about a Vaccine Damage Payment by post.
Appoint someone to help with your appeal
You can appoint someone as a ‘representative’ to help you with your appeal. A representative can:
- help you submit your appeal or prepare your evidence
- act on your behalf
- give you advice
Anyone can be a representative, including friends and family.
You might also be able to find a representative through a local library or from an organisation in your area that gives advice on claiming benefits, such as Citizens Advice.
Your representative will have permission to act on your behalf, for example to respond to letters. They’ll be sent all the information about your appeal, including any medical evidence.
To register a representative, you can either:
- name your representative when you submit your appeal
- register a representative at any point after you submit your appeal
Write to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Benefit Appeals to register a representative after you submit your appeal.
If you live in England or Wales, write to:
HMCTS Benefit Appeals
PO Box 12626
Harlow
CM20 9QF
If you live in Scotland, write to:
HMCTS Benefit Appeals
PO Box 13150
Harlow
CM20 9TT
Contact the benefit appeals helpline
The helpline can help if you have questions about appealing a benefit decision.
Benefit appeals helpline (England and Wales)
contactsscs@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 1142
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Find out about call charges
Benefit appeals helpline (for Welsh speakers)
Telephone: 0300 303 5170
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Benefit appeals helpline (Scotland)
SSCSA-Glasgow@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 790 6234
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges