More than half of all people who appealed a decision to refuse or only part-grant them social welfare payments last year obtained a successful outcome.
The 2019 report shows the number of new appeals received during the year was 22,397 – an annual increase of around 3,500.The largest single category was in relation to Disability Allowance at 6,242 cases – the highest level since 2013 and more than 1,000 extra claims compared to 2018.However, in a sign of the strong economic conditions that existed last year, the number of appeals for Jobseeker’s Allowance was down almost 11% to 2,633 – its lowest level in a decade.
Ms Gordon said the SWAO was acutely aware that the time taken to process anappeal was hugely important for claimants as it impacted on their lives.