Benefits Guidance UNITED KINGDOM Clear, checked help with UK benefits

Step by step

Asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration

If DWP has refused your claim or awarded less than you expected, you have the right to ask them to look again. Around 69% of PIP appeals and 60% of Universal Credit appeals to tribunal succeed. This guide explains every step.

10 min read 5 steps Checked 14 October 2026 England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

On this page

  1. Step 1: Read your decision letter carefully
  2. Step 2: Gather evidence that supports your case
  3. Step 3: Contact DWP to request a Mandatory Reconsideration
  4. Step 4: Wait for the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice
  5. Step 5: Appeal to an independent tribunal if still unhappy
  6. Common questions
MR success rate ~25% at reconsideration stage
PIP tribunal success 69% of PIP appeals succeed at tribunal
UC tribunal success 60% of UC appeals succeed at tribunal
Deadline to request MR 1 month from the date of your decision letter

  1. Read your decision letter carefully

    DWP sends a decision letter explaining what you have been awarded (or refused) and why. Read it thoroughly — look for the reasons given, which activities or criteria were scored, and what evidence was considered. Note the date on the letter, because the deadline to request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) is one calendar month from that date.

  2. Gather evidence that supports your case

    Before you contact DWP, collect evidence that counters the decision letter's reasons. This could include: a letter from your GP or consultant, an occupational therapy report, a care plan, prescription records, or a written statement from a carer or family member describing how your condition affects you. New evidence submitted at the MR stage is considered alongside the original claim.

  3. Contact DWP to request a Mandatory Reconsideration

    You can ask for an MR by phone, in writing, or through your online journal (for Universal Credit). Clearly state that you want a Mandatory Reconsideration. Explain which parts of the decision you disagree with and why. You can also ask DWP to reconsider reasons you did not dispute initially. Keep a note of the date, time and the name of anyone you speak to.

  4. Wait for the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice

    DWP must look at the decision again and send you a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (MRN). There is no legal time limit for DWP to complete this, but they aim to do so within two to four weeks. You cannot appeal to a tribunal until you have the MRN. If you are waiting a long time, you can contact DWP to ask for an update.

  5. Appeal to an independent tribunal if still unhappy

    If the MR does not change the decision in your favour, you have one month from the date of your MRN to appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal — an independent body run by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. You submit the appeal online or by post using form SSCS1. Around 69% of PIP and 60% of UC appeals to tribunal succeed. You can get free help from Citizens Advice or a welfare rights service to prepare.

Get free help with your appeal

You do not need a solicitor. Citizens Advice and welfare rights services can help you understand the decision, gather evidence and represent you at tribunal — all for free.

Citizens Advice Turn2us advice finder

Common questions about Mandatory Reconsiderations

How long do I have to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration?

You must ask within one calendar month of the date on your decision letter. DWP can accept late requests in special circumstances — for example if you were ill — but this is not guaranteed. Act as quickly as possible.

Do I still get paid during a Mandatory Reconsideration?

For Universal Credit, your payments continue during an MR at the original rate. For PIP, your existing award continues if you are asking DWP to increase it. If your award was refused entirely, you do not receive payments while you wait for the MR decision.

What is the success rate for Mandatory Reconsiderations?

Around 20–25% of MRs result in a changed decision at the reconsideration stage. If you then appeal to a tribunal, the success rate rises significantly — around 69% for PIP and 60% for Universal Credit. Getting advice from Citizens Advice or a welfare rights adviser improves your chances.

Can I get help preparing my appeal?

Yes. Citizens Advice offers free help with benefits appeals. Many local councils fund welfare rights services. You can also instruct a welfare benefits specialist or a solicitor (legal aid may be available). Turn2us has a directory of free advice services near you.

What happens at a tribunal hearing?

A Social Security Tribunal is a panel (usually one to three people including a judge and a medical member) that reviews the evidence and hears your case. You can present your evidence, bring a representative and call witnesses. The hearing is informal compared to a court but is legally binding. DWP does not usually attend. Most people find they do not need a lawyer, but preparing well makes a significant difference.

Step by step Getting PIP How to apply for Personal Independence Payment, fill in the form and prepare for your assessment. Step by step How to claim Universal Credit A complete guide to making a new Universal Credit claim, from eligibility to your first payment. Reference Benefits A to Z Every UK benefit explained — who can get it, what it pays and how to claim.