THE UNQUALIFIED FILES
APPEAL / PAPER-TRAIL BUILDER

Decision
- Organization:
- Program/account:
- Decision date:
- What was decided:
- Exact reason stated:
- Appeal/reconsideration deadline:

Evidence
- What documents did they say were missing or insufficient?
- What documents had already been sent?
- Date sent:
- Method sent:
- Proof of delivery/receipt:
- New or corrected documents:

The five questions
1. What exactly was decided?
2. Why was it decided?
3. What information was used?
4. What consequence is the decision creating?
5. What exactly am I asking them to change?

Contact log
DATE | NAME/ID | DEPARTMENT | WHAT THEY SAID | REFERENCE # | NEXT STEP

When possible, ask for decisions, reasons and next steps in writing.