Challenging a Child Benefit or Guardian's Allowance decision - Have the decision looked at again

You should ask the Child Benefit Office of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to look at the decision again if you think the decision is wrong.

This is known as a mandatory reconsideration of the decision.

Action

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

You should tell them 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 one month from the date on the decision letter to ask for the decision to be looked at again.

You may get longer if you ask for an explanation of the decision to be sent to you.

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, you will be sent a mandatory reconsideration notice containing the new decision.

If they decide the decision is wrong, they will change it, and your payments will be backdated.

• For a new claim, they will backdate your Child Benefit to the date you made the claim. 
• For an ongoing claim, they will backdate your Child Benefit to the date it was stopped or reduced. 

If they decide that they can’t change the decision, they will write to you to confirm this and tell you if you have a right to appeal.

Keep the mandatory reconsideration notice safe. You will need it if you want to appeal against this decision.

If you still think the decision is wrong:

You may be able to appeal against the decision. Find out more on the Appeal against the decision page.