First, the key fact: there are two stages
If you disagree with a decision the DWP (or HMRC) has made about your benefit, you can't usually appeal to a tribunal straight away. You have to ask them to look at it again first. That's called a Mandatory Reconsideration. It applies to most benefits — PIP, Universal Credit, ESA, DLA, Carer's Allowance, Attendance Allowance and more.
- Stage 1 — Mandatory Reconsideration. You ask the DWP to look at the decision again. They send you the result in a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (MRN).
- Stage 2 — Appeal to an independent tribunal. If the MRN still isn't right, you appeal to the First-tier Tribunal — run by the courts service, completely separate from the DWP.
Why this matters
Lots of decisions are changed at one of these stages — but you have to use them, and you have to hit the deadlines. Ignoring a wrong decision is the one thing that doesn't work. The single best move is to
ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration in writing before the 1-month deadline, then get free expert help. See
What to do today.
The two-stage timeline (deadlines are strict)
Both stages have a 1-month deadline. Treat them as fixed — late requests are possible but you have to give a good reason, and they can be refused.
1
Within 1 month of the decision letter
Ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration
Ask the DWP to look at the decision again — by phone, in a letter, or using the CRMR1 form (or your Universal Credit account). Say which decision you disagree with and why, and send any new evidence. Late? You can usually still ask up to 13 months after the decision, but you must give a good reason for the delay.
2
You receive the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (MRN)
The DWP sends you the result
The DWP looks again and posts you a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (you usually get two copies). It tells you whether the decision has changed. Keep it safe — you need a copy to appeal, and the appeal clock starts from the date on it.
3
Within 1 month of the MRN date
Appeal to the independent tribunal
If the decision still isn't right, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) — online on GOV.UK or by post using form SSCS1 — and send a copy of your MRN. The tribunal is run by HM Courts & Tribunals Service and is completely independent of the DWP. Late appeals can sometimes be accepted up to 13 months with a good reason.
4
At the hearing
Your case is looked at fresh
You can choose a hearing you attend (in person or by video) or ask the tribunal to decide on the papers alone. The panel usually includes a judge and, for health-related benefits, a doctor or other specialist. Free representation from Citizens Advice or a welfare rights service makes a real difference and they can attend with you.
Do this today
Before the deadline — do these now
Free expert help also from your local welfare rights service and via our find free help page. Never pay a company to do this — the best help is free.
- Ask for the Mandatory Reconsideration in writing, before the 1-month deadline. A letter or your Universal Credit account gives you a dated record. State the decision date, which decision you disagree with, and that you're asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration.
- Say clearly what's wrong and why. Don't just say you disagree — point to the specific findings or descriptors you think were applied incorrectly, and explain what really happens for you on a typical day.
- Send supporting evidence. Copies (keep the originals) of medical letters, care needs, a diary of a difficult day, payslips or anything that backs up your points. Tell them if more evidence is coming so they wait for it.
- Get free expert help. Citizens Advice and local welfare rights advisers help with both the reconsideration and the tribunal, for nothing — and the success of an appeal often comes down to how it's prepared.
- Keep every letter and note every deadline. Diarise the 1-month date for the reconsideration and, when the MRN arrives, the 1-month date to appeal. Our Deadline Guardian can hold them for you.
Challenging a health-related benefit like PIP? Our PIP claim & appeal helper walks you through the descriptors and a Mandatory Reconsideration. Confused by the decision letter itself? Upload it and we'll explain it in plain English.
What to put in your reconsideration request
A clear, specific request is far more likely to work than "I disagree". Include:
- Your details and the decision date — full name, National Insurance number, the benefit, and the date on the decision letter.
- The exact decision you're challenging — for example "I'm asking you to reconsider the PIP decision dated [date] that awarded me no points for daily living."
- Which findings are wrong, and why — go through the points or descriptors and explain, with examples, what actually happens for you (including bad days, safety, pain, reliability, how long things take).
- New or extra evidence — anything the original decision didn't have or didn't weigh properly.
- A request to be told what they relied on — you can ask for a copy of the assessment report or the reasons, which helps you target your points.
- Your signature and the date — and keep a copy of everything you send.
Tip
You don't have to get the wording perfect on your own. A free adviser will help you frame the request around the rules and descriptors — which is exactly where most decisions are won or lost.
If you reach the tribunal
If the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice still isn't right, the appeal goes to the independent First-tier Tribunal. The basics:
| What | Detail | Key point |
|---|
| Who decides | First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) | Independent |
| Deadline | From the date on your MRN | 1 month |
| How to apply | Online on GOV.UK, or by post on form SSCS1 | Send the MRN |
| Hearing | Attend in person/video, or decide on papers | Your choice |
The tribunal looks at your case afresh — it isn't reviewing the DWP, it's deciding the right answer. Attending and answering questions, with a representative beside you, usually gives the best chance. Free help is available right up to and at the hearing from Citizens Advice and welfare rights services.
Scotland is different
The two stages above are for benefits run by the DWP (PIP, Universal Credit, ESA and so on). Benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland — such as Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment — use a different first stage:
- Instead of a Mandatory Reconsideration you ask for a re-determination — Social Security Scotland looks at the decision again.
- For Adult Disability Payment you usually have 42 days to ask for a re-determination (late requests possible up to a year with a good reason).
- If you're still unhappy, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Social Security Chamber).
- Get free help and check the exact deadlines with mygov.scot, or call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. Citizens Advice Scotland also helps.
Free UK help challenging a decision
- Citizens Advice — free help with reconsiderations and tribunals, in person and online: 0800 144 8848.
- Your local welfare rights / advice service — many councils and law centres have specialist benefits advisers; find one via our free help page.
- GOV.UK — Mandatory Reconsideration and Appeal a benefit decision. The official rules and forms.
- Challenging a health-related benefit? Our PIP guide and PIP helper cover the descriptors and the reconsideration step.
- Worried about money in the meantime? A free benefits check can find other support while you challenge the decision.