Step 1 - You receive the decision. You have been told that you are not entitled to anything or you think you have been given the wrong amount

You have one month from the date on the letter to ask for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. This is where they look at the decision again. 

If one month has already passed you should still ask for a reconsideration. Provide reasons for the delay. See How to challenge a PIP decision for more details.

Step 2 - Ask the DWP to look again at their decision. This is called a mandatory reconsideration. Use our PIP mandatory reconsideration letter tool to write a really good letter to the DWP that sets out your case. Our research shows that using this tool more than doubles your chances of getting the decision changed at this stage.

The DWP will look at your claim form again, the assessment report, and any other evidence they have, to see if they will change the decision.

Step 3 - The DWP will send you two copies of their reconsideration decision. You will need a copy if you wish to appeal to the First-tier tribunal. 

There is no deadline by which the DWP have to make a decision about your mandatory reconsideration. If you have not heard in 6-8 weeks, phone and ask what is happening. If you have not heard by 3 months, consider making a complaint about the delay.

If their decision has been changed and you are happy with it, you can stop here. But if it has not, don’t be put off.  You have one month to ask for an appeal. (If one month has already passed you should still ask for an appeal, see How to appeal a PIP decision).

Step 4 - Ask for an appeal. You can do this online or using the appeal form and posting it.  Use the wording from the letter generated by our mandatory reconsideration tool to help you make your case or write a new explanation. See How to appeal a PIP decision for our advice on what to put on the appeal form.

Step 5 - Sign up to the Manage your appeal service using the link in the confirmation email (if you asked for an appeal online) or by emailing [email protected]. If you ask by email, you will need to include your National Insurance number, date of birth, and postal address.

This will enable you to keep track of how your appeal is progressing, upload evidence or a statement, or update your details if you move. You will also be able to ask for an audio recording of the hearing.

Step 6 - The DWP will send you and HMCTS (His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service) an explanation of why they gave you the award that they did. Don’t be put off by the size of it. Keep it safe.

You might be contacted by the DWP at this stage (or at any time before the hearing) because the DWP now agree you have not been given the right award. If this happens, they will change the decision and you will not have to wait for the tribunal hearing. If you think you are still entitled to a higher award, put in a new appeal request (step 2 above). 

Step 7 - Prepare for your appeal. See How to prepare for the tribunal hearing for more help. 

If there is anyone who could give you good evidence, ask them - and send them How to write effective evidence for a PIP application or appeal. Tell them which descriptors you think you meet and why as this will help them.

If you don't have any more evidence or anyone you can ask, don't worry - it is not vital.

Step 8 - Consider writing a statement for the tribunal to set out your case. This also makes the day of the hearing less stressful.

Step 9 -  You will be told the date of the hearing. The wait for a tribunal hearing is currently 8 months in many parts of the country from when you requested an appeal.

Your hearing may be in-person, by video or by phone.

If you have any further evidence or a statement that you haven't uploaded/sent yet do that as soon as possible. 

Always have a copy with you on the day (one ready to email if it is a video or phone hearing).

Step 10 - Your appeal will be heard by an independent panel, called the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. They will make a new decision.

Step 11 - If you are successful , you will usually receive your new higher regular payments in 4-6 weeks. You will also receive a backdated payment to when you became eligible for the higher rate (either the date you first claimed, or the date of the review).