Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit to help people with the extra cost of living with a long-term condition or disability. But what happens if your PIP application is rejected or you think you’re receiving the wrong amount? Our Helpline Team explain how you can challenge the decision.
Challenging a PIP decision
After your PIP assessment, you’ll receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explaining their decision about your claim. If you’re unhappy with the outcome, you can ask them to review the decision. This is known as a mandatory reconsideration. Information about how to ask for this and who to contact is included in the decision letter.
You need to ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter.
Your PIP might increase, decrease, stop or stay the same following the mandatory reconsideration. For advice about checking a PIP decision before you challenge it, visit Turn2us’ website and search “appeal PIP”.
Mandatory reconsideration
When you ask for a mandatory reconsideration, it’s important to explain what part of the decision you disagree with and why. It’s helpful to include evidence to support your points, such a letter from a GP or specialist involved in your care. The DWP will then send you a letter to tell you whether or not they’ve changed their decision and why.
Tribunal
If you still disagree, you can take your appeal to a tribunal, which is independent from the DWP. The tribunal includes a judge, a doctor and a disability adviser. They’ll ask you questions about how your disability affects you and look at written evidence.
You don’t have to attend this tribunal in person, but doing so allows you to explain your case directly to the panel. You can take an advocate, family member or friend to support you. After the tribunal, the panel will write to you to let you know the outcome of the appeal, which is likely to be legally binding.
Did you know?
74% of PIP appeals are successful at the tribunal stage.
Where can I find out more?
Contact the benefits appeal helpline:
England and Wales – 0300 123 1142
Scotland – 0300 790 6234
Northern Ireland PIP Centre – 0800 587 0932
Visit Gov.uk and search “appeal a benefit decision”. Or go to Citizens Advice’s PIP page.