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Plain-English guide · challenging a decision

How to appeal a PIP decision: reconsideration and tribunal

Turned down for PIP, or given a lower award than you expected? You can challenge it. Here's how mandatory reconsideration and tribunal appeals work, and the deadlines you mustn't miss.

Start with reconsideration Check my points

How challenging a PIP decision works

There are two stages, and you must do them in order.

1. Mandatory reconsideration

You ask the DWP to look at its decision again. Deadline: one month from the date on your decision letter.

2. Tribunal appeal

If the DWP doesn't change its mind, you appeal to an independent tribunal. Deadline: one month from the date on your mandatory reconsideration notice.

Most PIP appeals that reach a tribunal are decided in the claimant's favour, according to official tribunal statistics, so it's often worth going all the way.

In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment, which has its own process (a "redetermination"). In Northern Ireland the steps are similar, but appeals go to The Appeals Service.

Before you start

  • Read your decision letter carefully. It shows the points you were given for each activity and the reasons.
  • Ask for your assessment report (sometimes called the PA4). Call the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433. It shows exactly what the assessor wrote, which is often where things went wrong.
  • Work out where you lost points. Compare each activity with the descriptors in our PIP points guide, or use the points calculator. Focus on the activities where you'd reach 8 or 12 points.

Don't let waiting for the report make you miss the one-month deadline. You can ask for a reconsideration first and send more detail later.

Step 1: mandatory reconsideration

You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration:

  • by phone, on the number on your decision letter. Follow it up in writing so there's a record;
  • in writing, using form CRMR1 from GOV.UK, or a letter. Include your name, National Insurance number and the date of the decision.

If you've missed the one-month deadline, you can still ask within 13 months if you have a good reason, such as being in hospital. Explain the reason.

A different DWP decision maker looks at your claim again. They may phone you to talk it through. You'll then get a mandatory reconsideration notice, sent twice, telling you whether the decision has changed. Keep it: you need it to appeal.

What to write

A good request is specific. For each activity you disagree with:

  1. Say which descriptor you think applies, and how many points it's worth.
  2. Explain why, with real examples: what happens, how long it takes, what goes wrong, who helps.
  3. Point out anything in the assessment report that's wrong or missing. Quote it if you can.
  4. Refer to evidence that supports you, and send copies of anything new.

Remember the reliability rules

An activity only counts as something you can do if you can do it safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time. Assessment reports often miss this. If you can walk 50 metres once but not again, or can cook but often burn yourself, say so.

Step 2: appeal to a tribunal

If the reconsideration doesn't change the decision, or doesn't change it enough, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support). It's independent of the DWP.

  • How: online through GOV.UK's "Appeal a benefit decision" service, or by post using form SSCS1.
  • When: within one month of the date on your mandatory reconsideration notice. Include a copy of it.
  • Cost: nothing. There's no fee, and you can claim travel expenses to attend.

The DWP sends the tribunal, and you, a bundle of all the papers about your claim. Read it before your hearing. You can send further evidence to the tribunal before the hearing date. You can track your appeal online.

Sometimes the DWP reviews the decision again after you appeal and offers you a higher award. You can accept, or carry on with the appeal if you think you should get more.

The tribunal hearing

The panel has three people: a judge, a doctor and a disability expert. None of them work for the DWP. Hearings can be in person, by phone or by video, and are much less formal than a court. Someone from the DWP may attend, but often doesn't.

  • Go to the hearing if you can. Appeals decided on paper alone are less likely to succeed.
  • The panel will ask you questions about your daily life, much like the assessment. Answer as you would about a typical day.
  • Bring someone with you for support, or a representative if you have one.
  • You'll usually get the decision on the day, or by post soon after.

Can my award go down?

Yes, it's possible. The DWP and the tribunal look at your whole award, not just the part you're challenging. So if you already get one component, read the report and think honestly about whether that part is secure before you challenge. If you're unsure, get advice first.

If you win, the change is usually backdated, so you get the payments you missed. Estimate them with our back pay calculator.

Free help

Citizens Advice, local welfare rights services and some disability charities help with PIP reconsiderations and appeals for free, and some will represent you at a tribunal. Contact them early: they can be busy, and the deadlines are short.

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