DHPs are awarded at the discretion of the council and are not subject to the same review process as Housing Benefit. In view of this, claimants will not have the right to appeal for their case to be heard by an independent tribunal.
However, a claimant who is unhappy with council’s decision can request a review. Any such request should be made to the Benefits Service, within one month of the decision, giving reasons why the review should take place.
The review will be carried out by an officer who was not involved in the original decision. When considering the review, the officer will have regard to any further evidence supplied.
The claimant will be notified of the review decision as soon as possible after it has been made.
If the claimant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review they can, within one month of the review decision, request that their case be considered by the council’s Appeals Committee.