City council publishes guide for claimants on fighting benefits cases

It claimed that appeals against the Department for Work & Pensions had registered a 60% success rate when a claimant was supported by the council's welfare rights team, and wanted to share this expertise.

The appeals pack also provides a range of standard letters to allow claimants to initiate an appeal against benefit decisions relating to Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, the so-called  'Bedroom Tax' and Job Seeker's Allowance.

Council leader Gordon Matheson said: “A huge number of people are already struggling and a negative decision on a benefit claim can push them further into the grip of poverty.

“The appeals pack will make it easier for people to contest the decisions made against them. and will help to simplify the process and provide people with tools they can use to dispute a finding that has cut their income."