If your PIP claim is refused, or if you believe you were awarded the wrong rate, you have the legal right to challenge the decision. Challenging a PIP decision has two formal stages: first a Mandatory Reconsideration with the DWP, and then, if needed, an appeal to an independent First-tier Tribunal.
You can view official quarterly tribunal outcomes in the published Ministry of Justice tribunal statistics on GOV.UK.
Step 1: Request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR)
Before you can appeal to a tribunal, you must ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to look at their decision again. This is called a Mandatory Reconsideration.
- Deadline: You have 1 calendar month from the date printed on your DWP decision letter (or up to 13 months if you have a good reason for requesting it late, such as illness or waiting for medical evidence).
- Ask for your PA4 report first: Phone the DWP PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 (textphone 0800 121 4493) and ask for a free copy of your PA4 consultation report so you can see every comment the assessor wrote.
- How to apply: You can start a Mandatory Reconsideration by phone, and it is best to follow up in writing using a letter, form CRMR1 (also sometimes referred to by claimants as an MR2 form), setting out which activities and descriptors you disagree with.
- What to include: Point out any factual errors in the PA4 report and explain how the four Regulation 4(2A) reliability criteria (the S.A.R.R. criteria: safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time) apply to each disputed activity. See our step-by-step guide on how to challenge a PA4 assessor report.
A different DWP case manager will review your claim and send you two copies of a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice in the post.
Step 2: Lodge your appeal with the independent tribunal (Form SSCS1)
If your Mandatory Reconsideration Notice does not change the decision, or if you still believe the points are wrong, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support).
- Deadline: You must submit your appeal within 1 calendar month of the date printed on your Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (up to 13 months late if you explain the reason for the delay).
- How to submit: You can appeal online at gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision or by post using Form SSCS1.
- What you need: You must attach a copy of your Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (or enter the reference details online) and write your grounds for appeal in Section 5. For clear example paragraphs, read our guide on SSCS1 appeal grounds.
Step 3: Prepare for your tribunal hearing
The tribunal is run by His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and is completely independent of the DWP.
- Choose to attend a hearing if you can: HMCTS will ask whether you want a hearing you attend (by telephone, video, or in person) or a paper-only decision. Speaking directly to the panel lets you explain your daily life in your own words.
- Check your appeal bundle: Within 28 days of your appeal being registered, the DWP sends a numbered bundle of all the papers in your case. Check that none of your medical letters are missing.
- Free independent advice: You can also seek free advice or representation from Citizens Advice or your local council's welfare rights service.
Step 4: What happens on the day of the hearing
Your tribunal panel sits with three independent specialists: a legally qualified judge, a medical practitioner, and a disability panel member.
- The hearing is an informal, supportive discussion, not a courtroom cross-examination. The panel asks practical questions to understand how your condition affects you on normal and bad days.
- Take your time, refer to your notes if you need to, and ask for a short break at any point if you feel tired or overwhelmed.
- You will usually receive the tribunal's decision on the day of the hearing or shortly afterwards.
If your appeal is allowed, any PIP award is backdated to the date of your original claim or review decision.