Urgent help: In an emergency call 999. For urgent medical help call NHS 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk. Otherwise, contact your GP. In a mental health crisis, call 111 and choose the mental health option.

How to challenge a PIP decision: mandatory reconsideration

In short: If you disagree with a PIP decision, first ask DWP to look again. This is free. Usually ask within one month.
A friendly drawing of an open letter with a pencil and a speech bubble with a question mark.

In short

  1. Not happy with your PIP decision? Ask DWP to look again. This is called mandatory reconsideration. It is free.
  2. You usually have 1 month from the date on your letter.
  3. Write it down, using the CRMR1 form if you can. If you still disagree after, you can appeal.

What is it?

Mandatory reconsideration means asking the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to check its decision again. It is free to ask. (GOV.UK: Challenge a benefit decision)

GOV.UK says you can ask if:

It is called "mandatory" because you usually must do this step before you can go to a tribunal. Your letter will say if you can skip it. (GOV.UK: Appeal a benefit decision)

When can you ask?

Citizens Advice says you can ask if:

(Citizens Advice: Challenging a PIP decision)

Be careful

If you ask about how much you get, or for how long, DWP may look at your whole claim again. Your award could go down, not just up. It could even stop. Talk to a free adviser first if you are worried. (Citizens Advice)

Has your health got worse since the decision? Then there is a different way to do it. Speak to an adviser.

The deadline: 1 month

A simple calendar with one month circled.

(Citizens Advice)

Missed it?

You can still ask if you have a good reason. For example, you were in hospital, or someone close to you died. (GOV.UK)

Citizens Advice says it is still worth asking up to 13 months after the decision. Say why you are late, and why you disagree. DWP can say no to a late request. But if you asked within 13 months, you can still go to a tribunal. (Citizens Advice)

How to ask: step by step

  1. Get your papers. Find your decision letter. If you have them, also find the "statement of reasons" and the assessment report.
  2. Get the CRMR1 form from GOV.UK (GOV.UK: CRMR1 form). Fill it in, print it, and post it. You cannot send it online.
  3. Or write a letter to DWP. Say why you disagree.
  4. Only phone if you must. It is better to have it in writing. If you phone, send a letter after. The number is on your decision letter.
  5. Keep a copy of what you send. Write down the date you sent it.

(Steps 2 to 4: Citizens Advice)

What to write

Give clear reasons why you disagree. Here is a simple way:

  1. Read your letter, statement of reasons and assessment report.
  2. Write down each thing you think is wrong.
  3. Under each one, say why it is wrong.
  4. Give real examples from your day.
  5. Add medical evidence if you have it.

(Citizens Advice)

For each task, DWP looks at: can you do it safely, how long does it take, and do you need help from a person or a tool? You must have trouble on more than half the days in a year. (GOV.UK: PIP) So you could write: "I can get dressed, but it takes me over an hour." Or: "I can only cook if someone checks the hob is off."

What happens next

DWP looks at your whole case again, with any new evidence. They may contact you. They might keep the decision, change it, or overturn it. (GOV.UK: PIP MR research findings)

You will get a letter called a mandatory reconsideration notice. Keep it safe. You need it to appeal. (GOV.UK: Submit your appeal)

How long does it take?

There is no set time. DWP shares how long it takes in its PIP statistics. Waited a long time? Phone the number on your letter to check.

Still not happy?

You can appeal to a tribunal. It is independent of the government. You usually have 1 month from the date on your mandatory reconsideration notice. Read our guide: How to appeal a PIP decision to a tribunal.

Free help

You do not need to pay anyone. Free help: Citizens Advice, Advicenow, Advicelocal and Turn2us.

In Scotland, new claims are for Adult Disability Payment instead of PIP. It works differently. (GOV.UK)

Optional: our own printable workbook

This is our own paid workbook, made by Social Care Made Easy. You do not need it. The free help comes first: GOV.UK: PIP, Citizens Advice and Age UK (free, 0800 678 1602) can help for free.

If you would like everything on paper in one place, our PIP and Appeal Workbook costs £6.99. It is a download you can print.

See the PIP and Appeal Workbook (£6.99, opens Payhip)

← Back to Money and benefits

Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.

Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.

Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 25 October 2026.