Challenging a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Decision - Get Mandatory Reconsideration Notice

The Mandatory Reconsideration Notice is a letter which tells you if the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has changed their decision or not, and why.

You have to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration before you can get the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. Read about how and when to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration on our Ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration page.

How long does it take?

The DWP does not have a deadline for doing the Mandatory Reconsideration. Some reconsiderations take two weeks, some take several months. 

If you have not received your Mandatory Reconsideration Notice, it is a good idea to call the DWP after:

• 2 weeks to check they have logged your Mandatory Reconsideration 
• 8 weeks to check how much longer it will take
• 12 weeks to chase again.

If you are not happy with how long a Mandatory Reconsideration is taking, you may want to complain or tell your MP.

Phone call

When the DWP are looking again at the decision, they normally phone you to talk about it. If they can’t get through to you, they usually try a few times. 

When the DWP speak to you, you can tell them if there is something else that they should take into account or if you have documents that you think they need to see. 

What happens next

When the DWP have looked again at the decision, they send you a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

You will get two copies of the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. Keep them in a safe place. If you appeal, you may need to send one with your appeal form.

If you still disagree with the decision, you can appeal to a Tribunal. Beware that if you challenge a decision, it can be changed to make the PIP award lower or shorter. If you’re not sure whether you should challenge a decision, you can:

• Read about checking the decision on our Check PIP decision page
• Find a local adviser to help you using our Find an advisor tool

You normally have to start your appeal within one month of the date on the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

Read about when and how to appeal to Tribunal on the Appeal to Tribunal page of this guide

Reviewed: February 2022