Decisions and Reviews

What if I want to know more about the decision or think it is wrong?

If you feel this way about the decision on your Community Care Grant, Budgeting Loan or Crisis Loan application, you can contact Jobcentre Plus and ask us to explain it.

If you think it is wrong, you can write to us and ask for a review.

You might do this if you:

• believe the person who decided did not know all the facts
• think the decision was wrong, or a mistake was made
• think the law was applied wrongly, or
• are unhappy with the result.

How do I ask for a review?

Send a signed letter asking for a review to Jobcentre Plus within 28 days of the date on your decision letter. Tell us why you do not agree with the decision.

We can allow more time to ask for a review only when there are special reasons. If you send your letter after 28 days, tell us why it is late.

If we cannot change the decision to the one you want, we will offer you an interview. This usually takes place by phone but it can be in person. We will explain our decision and you can tell us what else you think we should know.

After we talk to you, we will review your case.

• If the decision can change, we will send a new decision letter.
• If the decision cannot change, we will write and tell you why.

What if I am still not happy?

You can apply for a Social Fund Inspector to review your case.

The Social Fund Inspector can look at your case and:

• agree with the decision
• ask us to look at it again, or
• make their own decision.

They will write and tell you what their decision is and why.

How do I apply for a Social Fund Inspector review?

Contact the Independent Review Service within 28 days of the date on your new decision letter.

You can either send a signed letter or complete an IRS1 form asking them for a review. A copy of this form should have been sent with your new decision letter. If not, you can ask Jobcentre Plus for one.

Tell the Independent Review Service why you do not agree with the decision.

They can allow more time to ask for a review only when there are special reasons. If you send your letter or IRS1 after 28 days, make sure you tell them why it is late.

Send your letter or IRS1 form to:

Independent Review Service

Freepost

4th Floor

Centre City Podium

5 Hill Street

Birmingham

B5 4UB

If someone writes the letter or fills in the form for you, you must agree in writing to them doing this, unless you have already appointed this person to make benefit claims for you.