Challenging a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Decision - Get Mandatory Reconsideration Notice
You may be able to have a decision about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) changed.
- Last reviewed 19 July 2023
Get Mandatory Reconsideration Notice
The A letter which tells the outcome of your Mandatory Reconsideration. See full definition is a letter which tells you if the Government department that is responsible for employment and welfare. See full definition (DWP) has changed their decision or not, and why.
You have to ask for a Asking for a benefit or tax credit decision to be looked at again. See full definition before you can get the A letter which tells the outcome of your Mandatory Reconsideration. See full definition . Read about how and when to ask for a Asking for a benefit or tax credit decision to be looked at again. See full definition on our Ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration page.
How long does it take?
The DWP does not have a deadline for doing the Asking for a benefit or tax credit decision to be looked at again. See full definition . Some reconsiderations take two weeks, some take several months.
If you have not received your A letter which tells the outcome of your Mandatory Reconsideration. See full definition , it is a good idea to call the DWP after:
- 2 weeks to check they have logged your Asking for a benefit or tax credit decision to be looked at again. See full definition
- 8 weeks to check how much longer it will take
- 12 weeks to chase again.
If you are not happy with how long a Asking for a benefit or tax credit decision to be looked at again. See full definition is taking, you may want to complain or tell your MP.
Phone call
When the DWP are looking again at the decision, they normally phone you to talk about it. If they can’t get through to you, they usually try a few times.
When the DWP speak to you, you can tell them if there is something else that they should take into account or if you have documents that you think they need to see.
What happens next
When the DWP have looked again at the decision, they send you a A letter which tells the outcome of your Mandatory Reconsideration. See full definition .
You will get two copies of the A letter which tells the outcome of your Mandatory Reconsideration. See full definition . Keep them in a safe place. If you appeal, you may need to send one with your appeal form.
If you still disagree with the decision, you can appeal to a Tribunal. Beware that if you challenge a decision, it can be changed to make the PIP award lower or shorter. If you’re not sure whether you should challenge a decision, you can:
- Read about checking the decision on our Check PIP decision page
- Find a local adviser to help you using our Find an advisor tool
You normally have to start your appeal within one month of the date on the A letter which tells the outcome of your Mandatory Reconsideration. See full definition .
Read about when and how to appeal to Tribunal on the Appeal to Tribunal page of this guide
Reviewed: February 2022
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