Appealing your Universal Credit decision or sanction
If the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made a decision about your UC that you don’t agree with you can challenge this decision. The types of decisions you can appeal are:
- refused entitlement
- cancelled entitlement
- reduced entitlement
- a sanction
Before you can appeal any decision you should ask the DWP to look at their decision again by asking for a mandatory reconsideration. Your original decision letter will tell you how to do this and you must give details of why you think the decision is incorrect.
Your request for a mandatory reconsideration should normally be made within one month of the date on your original decision notice, although this can be extended in extenuating circumstances.
You will then receive a mandatory reconsideration decision notice, which will give you details on how to appeal the decision if still disagree with the decision.
Get help with requesting a mandatory reconsideration
You can get help from your landlord if they are one of the four main Housing Associations:
- Scottish Borders Housing Association online or phone 01750 724444
- Waverley Housing Association online or phone 01450 364200
- Eildon Housing Association online or phone 01750 491081
- Berwickshire Housing Association online or phone 0300 303 9696
They have trained Officers who can check your entitlement to, and help you apply for any benefits you may be eligible for.
You can also get help from Citizens Advice Scotland who provide this support on behalf of us. Not only are they able to assist you with checking entitlement, helping you to apply or appeal a decision, they also provide money advice on our behalf. You can call your nearest branch to make an appointment.
If for any reason you can’t access any of these services, you can contact Customer Advice and Support Service for help. You will need to have the original decision notice and your National Insurance Number available in order to request the reconsideration.
Get help with submitting an appeal
If you have received your mandatory reconsideration decision notice and you are still not happy with the decision, the notice will tell you about your appeal rights. If the notice tells you that you have the right to appeal, you can submit your appeal directly to the DWP.
Your appeal should normally be made within one month of the decision date on the outcome of your mandatory reconsideration letter, although this can be extended in extenuating circumstances.
If you would like to discuss the outcome of your mandatory reconsideration, or would like help to submit an appeal you may wish to contact our Financial Inclusion Team for advice.
Even if we cannot support you with your appeal you could still appeal the decision yourself by following the instructions on your mandatory reconsideration decision notice.