Ask for Mandatory Reconsideration

A Mandatory Reconsideration is the first step in challenging a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision. It means asking the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to look at its decision again.

You normally have to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the decision date (the date on the decision letter).

If you challenge a decision, the outcome can change. This means your PIP award could stay the same, increase, decrease, or be awarded for a shorter period.

If you’re unsure whether challenging the decision is the right option, you can:

• Use the Turn2us PIP Helper to check whether the decision matches the PIP rules and what award you may be entitled to
• Read the Check a PIP decision page for guidance on understanding your decision
• Use our Find an advisor tool if you would like advice before deciding what to do.

Mandatory Reconsideration process

Time limits

You normally have to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the decision date (the date on the decision letter).

You may still be able to ask after one month if:

• You requested a written statement of reasons, or
• You have a good reason for the delay.

Written statement of reasons

If you receive the written statement before the normal one-month deadline, you have an extra two weeks to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration .

If you receive the written statement after the normal one-month deadline, you have two weeks from the date of the statement to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration .

Good reason 

You can still ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration if more than one month has passed since the decision date. However, the DWP does not have to reconsider the decision unless:

• You asked for a Mandatory Reconsideration as soon as possible, and
• The decision date was less than 13 months ago, and
• You have a good reason for being late.

Examples of a good reason for being late:

• You were given wrong information about your appeal by an adviser
• Your partner or relative was very ill and you had caring responsibilities
• You were too physically or mentally unwell to ask earlier
• You had problems getting post at your address.

How to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration

The best way to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration is to write to the DWP using the address on your decision letter.

You can:

• complete a Mandatory Reconsideration request form, or
• write a letter explaining why you think the decision is wrong.

You can also ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration by phone using the number on your decision letter.

If you contact the DWP by phone, it is a good idea to keep a record of when you called and what was discussed.

What to include

When you ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration , tell the DWP:

• Your national insurance number
• The date of your decision letter
• Why you disagree with their decision
• If you are late, tell them why.

When explaining why you disagree, try to include:

• How many points you think you should have scored for each activity
• What you think they did not take into account about your disability or health condition
• Examples that show how your condition affects you.

Using the Turn2us PIP Helper before writing your request can help you understand which activities and descriptors apply to you, what points you may be entitled to, and what information to include in your explanation.

Use the Turn2us PIP Helper

You can also read the Check PIP decision page for more guidance on understanding your decision before explaining why you disagree.

If you would like help preparing your Mandatory Reconsideration request, you can:

• Use the online tool on the Advice Now website
• Find a local adviser using our Find an adviser tool