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PIP › Mandatory Reconsideration

PIP Mandatory Reconsideration: Time Limits & How to Request One

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How PIP Mandatory Reconsideration works

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A Mandatory Reconsideration is a formal request for DWP to look again at a PIP decision before you can take it to an independent tribunal. It is a required first step, not an optional extra, and it is one of the most effective ways a decision actually gets changed.

Only around 37% of new PIP claims are awarded at initial decision \u2014 see why PIP claims get rejected for the most common, avoidable reasons. Many of those same issues can be corrected at Mandatory Reconsideration stage.

You normally have 1 month from your decision letter to request a Mandatory Reconsideration.

How the process works

1. Request it within the time limit

You normally have 1 month from the date on your decision letter to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration. DWP can sometimes accept a late request (usually up to 13 months) if you have a good reason, but it is always safer to request one as soon as possible.

2. Explain why you disagree

You can call DWP or write to them (a "CRMR1" form or a clear letter both work) explaining which parts of the decision you disagree with and why. Being specific about which activities and descriptors you believe were scored incorrectly, and why, gives the reviewer something concrete to reconsider.

3. Add any new or missing evidence

This is the single biggest opportunity to strengthen a claim. Letters from a GP or specialist, care records, statements from people who help you day to day, or evidence of a bad period that was not properly captured the first time can all be added at this stage.

4. DWP reviews the whole decision again

A different decision maker looks at the original claim, the assessment report, and anything new you have provided, then either changes the decision or upholds it. You will receive a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice explaining the outcome.

5. If it is unsuccessful, you can appeal

If the decision is not changed (or not changed enough), you can appeal to an independent tribunal, generally within 1 month of the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. Many decisions are overturned at appeal once fuller evidence is heard by an independent panel.

What can actually change

  • Which descriptors are applied to each of the 12 activities.
  • The rate (standard or enhanced) awarded for either component.
  • Whether a component is awarded at all where none was awarded before.
  • The start date or length of the award, in some cases.

To understand exactly what is being reconsidered, it helps to know how scoring works in the first place \u2014 see the daily living descriptors and the mobility descriptors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a PIP Mandatory Reconsideration take?

There is no fixed statutory timescale, and waiting times vary, but it commonly takes several weeks to a few months. You can ask DWP for an update on progress at any time.

Can my award go down after a Mandatory Reconsideration?

In principle, DWP is reviewing the whole decision again, so it is possible for an award to be reduced as well as increased. In practice, most requests are made because someone believes they were under-awarded, and any new evidence submitted should support that case.

Do I have to request a Mandatory Reconsideration before I can appeal?

Yes. You cannot appeal a PIP decision to a tribunal until you have gone through Mandatory Reconsideration first — this is sometimes called a "mandatory reconsideration requirement".

What are my chances of success at Mandatory Reconsideration?

Outcomes vary significantly depending on the strength of new evidence and explanation provided. A request that simply repeats the original claim without adding anything new is far less likely to change the outcome than one that adds specific, targeted evidence.

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