Evidence standards
Disputes are won on records. Prefer primary documents, dated notes, and a clear pack order over long narrative emails.
Redact children’s full names and third-party details where possible before you upload or send packs.
Which documents matter most
- CMS letters and statements — decision letters, calculation pages, arrears ledgers.
- Bank evidence — statements showing Direct Pay transfers with dates and references.
- Income records — payslips, P60, tax calculations for the period CMS used.
- Care evidence — diaries, school calendars, court orders for overnight stays.
- Secondary notes — your call log and summaries (useful, but weaker alone).
Call and message log template
For every contact, record:
- Date and time
- Channel (phone / portal / letter)
- Advisor name or reference (if given)
- What you asked
- What they said / promised
- Follow-up deadline they gave (if any)
Redaction before sharing
- Black out children’s full names where initials will do
- Remove unrelated account numbers and third-party addresses
- Keep CMS reference numbers and payment references visible
- Do not upload more than you need for the point you are proving
Suggested document order (reconsideration / tribunal / Independent Case Examiner)
- Cover letter or form (SSCS2 / Independent Case Examiner)
- One-page date list (timeline download)
- Decision letter / mandatory reconsideration notice
- Calculation and arrears check (Excel + CMS statements)
- Numbered evidence files (A, B, C…)
- Contents list matching letters to filenames
Where to keep files
- My Case — private uploads and download your documents as one folder
- Home case timeline — quick browser log (move to My Case when ready)
- Keep your own offline backup of originals