DWP refused or reduced my PIP — what do I do?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decisions are very often successfully challenged. The first step is Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month of the decision letter, then appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SSCS).
Quick Answer
Request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) within 1 month of the decision letter. After the MR decision, you have 1 month to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) on Form SSCS1. PIP appeals succeed 60-70% of the time. Free representation is available from Citizens Advice, Welfare Rights Units, and disability charities. No fees apply.
Full Explanation
When the DWP refuses your PIP claim or awards a lower rate than you expected, you have a statutory right to challenge that decision through a three-stage process. Stage 1 is Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) — a fresh DWP review. Stage 2 is appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) — an independent tribunal that hears the evidence afresh. Stage 3 is onward appeal to the Upper Tribunal on a point of law only.
The deadlines are tight: 1 month from each decision letter. DWP can accept late MR requests for up to 13 months with special reasons. Late tribunal appeals can be allowed on the same basis but it's much harder.
Most claimants don't realise how often appeals succeed. DWP's own statistics show 60-70% of PIP appeals at the SSCS tribunal result in a more favourable decision than the DWP's original — meaning the original PIP decision was wrong in the majority of contested cases. The tribunal hears evidence afresh, often relying heavily on the claimant's oral evidence about the practical impact of their condition on the 10 daily-living and 4 mobility activities in Schedule 1 of the Social Security (PIP) Regulations 2013.
Free representation is widely available: Citizens Advice (every town); Welfare Rights Units (most local authorities + many charities); Disability Law Service; specialist disability charities (Macmillan for cancer, Mind for mental health, Scope for general disability, Age UK for older adults). Representation significantly improves outcomes — claimants with representation succeed at higher rates than those without.
This is a non-emergency but time-critical procedure. Use the deadlines as your guide and get advice as soon as possible.
Legal Basis
- §Social Security Act 1998 s.9 (revision) and s.10 (supersession)
- §Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013
- §Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
- §Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008
What To Do
Read your decision letter carefully
Note the date of decision (top right). You have 1 calendar month from this date to request Mandatory Reconsideration. Identify which activities you scored below your expectations on — your MR request will focus on these.
Gather supporting evidence
Medical evidence (GP letters, hospital reports, specialist letters), care diaries (describe a typical day, the help you need, how long activities take, how often you can't manage), and evidence from people who help you (family members, carers, support workers). Quality medical evidence is the single strongest factor.
Request Mandatory Reconsideration
Call PIP on 0800 121 4433 or write to DWP. Explain why you disagree with the decision activity-by-activity. Reference your new evidence. Keep proof of the date you contacted them. DWP will issue a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (MRN) — typically within 4-12 weeks.
If MR is refused, appeal to the tribunal within 1 month
Use Form SSCS1 (paper) or the online appeal service. You'll need your MRN reference. The tribunal will write to you with a hearing date — usually 6-12 months later. Most claimants now choose an in-person or video hearing.
Get representation before the hearing
Citizens Advice, Welfare Rights Units, and disability charities (Scope, Macmillan, Mind, Age UK) provide free representation. Book at least 6-8 weeks before the hearing. Representation significantly improves outcomes.
Attend the hearing
Hearings last 45-90 minutes. The tribunal is informal — 1 judge + 1 doctor + 1 disability member. They'll ask about each activity. Be specific about what you can and can't do. Decisions are usually given on the day.
Important Deadlines
Important Warnings
1-month deadline is strict — don't miss it. Even a few days late significantly reduces your chance of getting an extension.
Don't be deterred by a poor MR decision — at the tribunal level, the majority of appeals succeed.
Your PIP can be reduced or stopped while the appeal is pending if your award has ended. Ask Citizens Advice about interim arrangements.
Don't represent yourself if you don't need to — get free representation from Citizens Advice, Welfare Rights, or a disability charity.