About us
The Social Security and Child Support Appeals Tribunal (SSCSA) is part of the Tribunals Service, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. The tribunal consists of two bodies within a single organisation:
- An independent appeal tribunal function (constituted as a tribunal non-departmental public body) with responsibility for the judicial functioning of appeal tribunals. This function is headed by the President of the Appeal Tribunals.
- An executive agency with responsibility for the administration of appeals. This function is headed by the Chief Executive of the Tribunals Service.
We arrange independent hearings for appeals on decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus, Child Support Agency and Disability and Carers Service), as well as other government departments (HM Revenue and Customs) and local authorities.
Appeals are determined by independent tribunal panels whose decisions cannot normally be changed other than by way of a further appeal to the Social Security Commissioner.
Appeals are heard at our tribunal venues and are processed at eight operational sites throughout Great Britain.
We have a purpose statement that describes what we seek to do:
"To bring together the parties to the appeal, and the judiciary, with all appropriate resources for the fair and independent delivery of decisions. We will do this in a way that best meets the expectations of all parties to the appeal and the demands of the public purse."
