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A PIP mandatory reconsideration is the first formal step in asking the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to look again at a Personal Independence Payment decision. You normally have one calendar month from the date on your decision letter to request one, and you will usually need to complete this stage before appealing to an independent tribunal.
If that deadline is approaching, protecting your right to challenge the decision should come first. You can register the request and provide more detailed reasons or further evidence afterwards.
What is a PIP mandatory reconsideration?
A mandatory reconsideration asks the DWP to review its original PIP decision.
A different decision maker will normally consider the information already held, including your PIP questionnaire, assessment report and supporting evidence, alongside anything further you provide.
You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration if, for example:
you have been refused PIP
you believe you should have received a higher rate
your existing award has been reduced or stopped
you disagree with the length of your award.
The DWP considers the decision as a whole. This means an existing award could increase, decrease, remain the same or be stopped, so it is important to consider the position carefully before challenging an existing award.
How long do you have to request a mandatory reconsideration?
You normally have one calendar month from the date printed on the PIP decision letter.
Late applications may sometimes be accepted for up to 13 months where there is a good reason for the delay.
If you are close to the deadline, do not wait for medical records or other supporting evidence before making the request. You can tell the DWP that further information will follow.
How do you request a PIP mandatory reconsideration?
A mandatory reconsideration can be requested:
by telephone, using the details on your decision letter
in writing
using the CRMR1 mandatory reconsideration request form.
Whatever method you use, it is sensible to keep a clear record of what you have submitted and when.
You should also request a copy of the health assessment report, usually known as the PA4, if you do not already have it.
This can help you understand why particular descriptors and points were recommended and identify the findings you need to challenge.
How do you prepare a strong PIP mandatory reconsideration?
PIP is based on how a health condition or disability affects your ability to complete particular daily living and mobility activities.
A strong mandatory reconsideration therefore needs to do more than state that you disagree with the outcome.
For each activity you believe has been assessed incorrectly, consider:
which descriptor you believe applies
what the assessment report or decision says
why that finding is wrong or incomplete
what happens when you try to carry out the activity in everyday life
what evidence supports your account.
It is usually more effective to focus closely on the activities and descriptors that could affect the award rather than challenge every sentence in an assessment report.
The PIP reliability criteria
An important part of assessing entitlement to PIP is whether an activity can be completed reliably.
Under the relevant regulations, a person should only be treated as able to complete an activity if they can do it:
safely
to an acceptable standard
repeatedly
within a reasonable time period.
This can make a significant difference.
For example, being able to complete an activity once does not necessarily mean that you can complete it safely and repeatedly throughout an ordinary day.
The way a condition affects you over time is therefore important, particularly where symptoms fluctuate.
What evidence can help with a PIP mandatory reconsideration?
The volume of evidence is less important than its relevance.
PIP is primarily concerned with the effect of your condition on your ability to carry out particular activities, rather than the diagnosis alone.
Useful evidence may include:
GP or specialist evidence that addresses your functional difficulties
occupational therapy or physiotherapy assessments
care plans
statements from carers, partners or support workers
symptom or activity diaries
prescription information where medication side effects affect daily activities.
Where possible, evidence should explain what you struggle to do, how often the difficulty occurs, what assistance you need and what happens during or after the activity.
What happens after a mandatory reconsideration?
A DWP decision maker will review the claim and any further information you have supplied.
They may contact you for additional information before reaching a decision.
You will then receive a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice setting out whether the original decision has been changed.
There is no statutory deadline for the DWP to complete the process. The official median waiting time recorded in January 2026 was 79 calendar days.
What if the mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful?
An unsuccessful mandatory reconsideration does not necessarily mean that the case should end.
The original article notes that DWP statistics for the quarter ending January 2026 showed that 27% of cleared mandatory reconsiderations, excluding withdrawals, resulted in a change to the award.
By comparison, HMCTS statistics for January to March 2026 showed that 67% of PIP cases cleared at a tribunal hearing were overturned in the claimant’s favour.
If you remain dissatisfied after receiving the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice, you normally have one calendar month from the date of that notice to lodge an appeal.
The appeal is considered by the First-tier Tribunal, which is independent of the DWP.
Preparing your case carefully from the outset
A well-prepared mandatory reconsideration can help the DWP understand exactly why you believe the original decision is wrong.
It can also provide the foundations for a later tribunal appeal if the decision is not changed.
The strongest submissions tend to focus on the relevant descriptors, specific examples from everyday life, the reliability criteria and evidence that directly supports the difficulties being described.
Specialist advice from Prakash Ruparelia
Prakash Ruparelia is a specialist welfare benefits solicitor with approximately 25 years’ experience representing claimants in mandatory reconsiderations, First-tier Tribunal appeals and Upper Tribunal proceedings.
He can assist with reviewing PIP decisions and assessment reports, identifying the descriptors in dispute, advising on suitable supporting evidence and preparing mandatory reconsideration and appeal submissions.
If you are concerned about a PIP decision or are approaching the deadline for challenging one, contact Prakash and the Scomo team to discuss your circumstances.
For step-by-step help, read our practical guide to preparing a PIP mandatory reconsideration, including how to review your assessment report, identify disputed descriptors and organise your supporting evidence.
FAQs
Can I ask for a PIP mandatory reconsideration after one month?
Yes, in some circumstances. You normally have one calendar month from the date on your PIP decision letter to request a mandatory reconsideration. A late request may still be accepted for up to 13 months if you have a good reason for the delay, such as serious illness, hospital admission or bereavement. You should explain clearly why the request is late.
Can my PIP award be reduced at mandatory reconsideration?
Yes. When the DWP carries out a mandatory reconsideration, it looks at the decision as a whole. This means your award could increase, decrease, stay the same or be stopped. If you are challenging an existing award because you believe you should receive more points or a higher rate, it is important to consider whether the points you already have are secure.
Do I need medical evidence for a PIP mandatory reconsideration?
No. You do not need new medical evidence before asking for a mandatory reconsideration, and you should not miss the deadline while waiting for it. Relevant evidence can help, but the most useful evidence explains how your condition affects your ability to carry out the PIP activities in practice. This could include GP or specialist evidence, occupational therapy reports, care plans, symptom diaries or statements from someone who helps support you.
What happens if my mandatory reconsideration is refused?
If the DWP does not change the decision, you will receive a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. You can then usually appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal, normally within one calendar month of the date on that notice. The tribunal is separate from the DWP and will consider whether the original PIP decision was correct.
Last reviewed: September 2026
