Challenging a Budgeting Loan decision - Have the decision looked at again

You should ask the benefit office to look at the decision again if you think the decision is wrong.

You may hear this referred to as a ‘reconsideration’, ‘revision’, or ‘review’ of the decision.

Action

Write to the benefit office using the contact details on your decision letter and ask them to look at the decision again.

Explain in detail why you think the decision is wrong including any relevant dates.

You should send the letter recorded delivery so there is a record of when it was sent and also keep a copy of the letter.

A different decision maker will look at the decision and decide whether it should be changed.

If you are asked for more information or evidence you should provide this as soon as possible and let them know if there will be a delay.
 

Time limits

You have 28 days from the date on the decision letter to ask for the decision to be looked at again.

If you missed the deadline for reasons out of your control, such as illness or bereavement, you may still be able to have your decision looked at again.

When you contact the benefit office, you should explain why you missed the deadline including details of any special circumstances that prevented you contacting them in time.
 

Possible outcomes

When the decision has been looked at again, if they decide that the decision is wrong the decision will be changed and you will be sent a new decision letter.

If they decide that they can’t change the decision, they will write to you to confirm this and tell you if you can apply to have the decision looked at by an officer at the Independent Case Examiner’s office (ICE).

If you still think the decision is wrong:

You can ask to have the decision looked at by the Independent Case Examiner’s office (ICE), see the next page for more details