There are various organisations that can help you appeal against our decision. We will not be able to help you apart from giving you more information about our decision.
Advice centres
Advice centres, like the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and law centres, can represent you and help you understand the reasons for decisions about housing benefit and council tax benefit.
They can also help you to fill in forms or to write a letter. They will sometimes go with you to the tribunal that hears your appeal.
It will help the advice centre if you show them any letters you have about the decision that you think is wrong.
Trade unions may also offer free advice to their members. They may also be able to speak for you at the tribunal that hears your appeal. Our welfare rights officer may also be able to help. You can find addresses for these organisations in the business section of the phone book, the Thomson Local directory, the Yellow Pages or at a library.
Look at our Benefits advice page for further information on independent advice.
Solicitors
You may be able to get advice from a solicitor under the Legal Advice and Assistance Scheme. You can find out about this from a solicitor. However, if you decide to use a solicitor, the scheme does not cover the cost of a solicitor to help you at a hearing. You cannot get any money for things like solicitor's fees from us or the Appeals Service.
For details of solicitors and advice centres, contact
The Legal Aid Board
Franchise Development Group
85 Grays Inn Road
WC1X 8AA
Freephone: 0800 085 6643
If you live abroad, you can ask someone in Great Britain to act for you. They may be able to get help from a solicitor under the Legal Advice and Assistance Scheme. The scheme does not cover the cost of a solicitor to help you at a hearing.
See also
Related websites
Contact us
Merton Benefits Service
PO Box 610
Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5ZT
Email: housing.benefits@merton.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8274 4903