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.
You must ask for the decision about your benefits to be looked at again before you can appeal, unless your decision letter says you do not need a ‘mandatory reconsideration’.
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 - you get this after you ask for the benefit decision to be looked at again
If you do not need a mandatory reconsideration your decision letter will say why. Include this explanation when you submit your appeal.
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.
If you need help appealing online
You can get help submitting an appeal online if you:
- do not feel confident using the internet
- do not have access to a computer or smartphone
Phone the Digital Support helpline to speak with someone about appealing online.
Digital Support helpline
Telephone: 03300 160051
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
Using the web chat
You can also get help in the service using the web chat.
You can only access the web chat if you’re using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari.
Continue with an existing appeal
Sign in to continue with your saved benefit appeal application.
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 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
More ways to get help
Contact the benefit appeals helpline if you have questions about appealing a benefit decision.
Benefit appeals helpline (England and Wales)
Telephone: 0300 123 1142
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Email: contactsscs@justice.gov.uk
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)
Telephone: 0300 790 6234
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Email: SSCSA-Glasgow@justice.gov.uk