What Is a PIP Mandatory Reconsideration?

If you disagree with a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision, you can usually ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to look at the decision again.

This is called a Mandatory Reconsideration.

It is normally the first formal step in challenging a PIP decision before appealing to an independent tribunal.

A Mandatory Reconsideration is free.

When might I ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration?

You might consider asking for one if:

• your PIP claim has been refused
• you received fewer points than you believe reflect your difficulties
• you received one PIP component but believe you should receive both
• you received the standard rate but believe the decision should have been enhanced
• an existing PIP award has been reduced or stopped
• you believe important information or evidence was overlooked

The important question is not simply whether you are disappointed with the decision.

Try to identify what you believe is wrong with it and why.

Is there a deadline?

Yes.

You normally need to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter.

Check the date as soon as you receive the decision.

If you are close to the deadline, do not delay requesting reconsideration simply because you are still gathering additional evidence.

Late requests can sometimes be accepted where there is a good reason for the delay, but you will need to explain why your request is late.

How do I request one?

Contact the benefits office that made the decision.

Your decision information will explain how to ask for Mandatory Reconsideration.

Depending on the circumstances, you can usually make the request by:

• telephone
• letter
• completing the relevant Mandatory Reconsideration form

If you make the request in writing, make sure it reaches the benefits office within the relevant deadline.

What information will I need?

When requesting Mandatory Reconsideration, you will normally need information including:

• your name
• address
• date of birth
• National Insurance number
• the date of the benefit decision

You should then explain which parts of the decision you believe are wrong and why.

Where should I start?

Read your PIP decision letter carefully.

Look at the points awarded for each activity and the reasons given.

Then identify the activities where you disagree.

For example, rather than writing:

“I think I should receive PIP because my condition is severe.”

focus on the actual decision:

“I disagree with the decision about preparing food because…”

Then explain what happens when you try to carry out that activity.

Link your explanation to how you are affected

PIP is based on how your condition affects particular daily living and mobility activities.

For each disputed activity, think about:

What difficulty do I experience?

What help do I need?

Do I need prompting or supervision?

Do I use an aid or appliance?

Can I do the activity safely?

Can I do it repeatedly?

Can I do it to an acceptable standard?

Does it take me much longer?

How often does the difficulty occur?

This can help you explain why you believe a different PIP descriptor should apply.

Should I use examples?

Real examples can make your explanation clearer.

If the decision says that you can carry out an activity independently, but that does not reflect your experience, describe an occasion that illustrates the difficulty.

Explain:

• what you were trying to do
• what happened
• whether somebody helped you
• whether there was a risk
• whether you had to stop
• how long it took
• what happened afterwards

Keep examples accurate and relevant to the activity you are challenging.

Should I send additional evidence?

You can send evidence to support your reasons for challenging the decision.

This might include relevant new information from professionals involved in your health, care or support.

For example:

• medical evidence
• reports
• care plans
• information from specialists
• information from therapists or nurses

The important question is whether the evidence helps explain why the PIP decision is wrong.

What evidence might not be useful?

More paperwork is not automatically better.

General information about a medical condition does not necessarily explain how that condition affects you personally.

Similarly, appointment letters or information simply showing that you have attended healthcare appointments may add little to the particular PIP activities being disputed.

Concentrate on information that helps explain your functional difficulties.

You should not normally need to resend evidence that the DWP already has.

What if I think the assessment report contains mistakes?

Identify the mistakes that matter to the benefit decision.

It can be tempting to respond to every sentence you disagree with.

Instead, concentrate on inaccuracies that affected the PIP activities or descriptors.

For example:

The report says I prepare meals independently. This does not reflect the help I need because…

Then explain what actually happens.

This keeps your reconsideration focused on the decision you want changed.

Can I ask for Mandatory Reconsideration if I already receive PIP?

Yes.

You might have received an award but disagree with the component, rate or another part of the decision.

However, there is an important point to understand.

When you request Mandatory Reconsideration, the benefit decision is looked at again.

The result could potentially mean your award:

• increases
• stays the same
• decreases
• stops

If you already have an award, it can be sensible to get independent benefits advice before deciding whether to challenge it.

Who carries out the Mandatory Reconsideration?

The DWP benefits office that made the original decision reconsiders it.

This is different from an appeal.

A Mandatory Reconsideration is still part of the DWP decision-making process.

An appeal, if one is later needed, is considered by an independent tribunal.

What happens after the DWP looks at it again?

You will receive a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

This explains whether the decision has changed and the reasons for the reconsidered decision.

Keep this notice.

You will normally need it if you decide to appeal.

What if the decision is changed?

Read the new decision carefully.

Check:

• which PIP components have been awarded
• whether the rate is standard or enhanced
• when the award starts
• how long the award is expected to last
• whether there are any other changes

If the new decision resolves the issue, you may not need to take further action.

What if the decision stays the same?

You may be able to appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.

The tribunal is independent of the DWP.

You normally need to appeal within one month of the date on your Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

There is a separate MH360 guide explaining the wider PIP challenge and appeal process.

Can somebody help me prepare a Mandatory Reconsideration?

Yes.

Free benefits advice may be available from Citizens Advice and other local or specialist advice organisations.

An adviser may be able to help you:

• understand your decision
• identify the activities in dispute
• understand relevant descriptors
• organise your explanation
• identify useful evidence
• understand the risks where you already have an award
• consider an appeal if the decision does not change

You do not have to understand every part of PIP before asking for advice.

A simple way to organise your request

If the paperwork feels overwhelming, use a straightforward structure for each activity:

The decision says:

Briefly explain what the decision says.

I disagree because:

Explain why you believe it does not reflect your difficulties.

What actually happens:

Give an accurate example.

The help I need:

Explain any assistance, prompting, supervision, aids or adaptations.

How often this affects me:

Explain the frequency and any fluctuation.

Supporting information:

Identify any relevant evidence.

Repeat this for each activity you are challenging.

This can make a complicated decision much easier to work through.

7.22: How Does PIP Look at How My Condition Affects Me?

7.23: What Happens at a PIP Assessment?

7.24: My PIP Claim Has Been Refused, What Can I Do Next?

7.26: How Do I Challenge a PIP Decision?

11.8: Breaking Problems Into Manageable Steps

22.1: I Don’t Know Where to Start

22.8: I Don’t Understand the Letters I’ve Received

Important information

This guide provides general information and is not intended to provide benefits, legal, medical or other professional advice. PIP rules, reconsideration procedures and time limits can change, and individual circumstances can be different. Check the dates on your decision documents and current official information, or seek advice from an appropriately qualified benefits adviser before making important decisions.