Nearly 9,000 people on PIP currently challenging DWP payment award decision
The process for challenging a PIP award decision can take up to 13 months to complete.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - information
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that the process for challenging a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award decision can take up to 13 months to complete. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, said 'a total of 8,900 appeals are currently in progress' in response to a written question from Liberal Democrat MP Rachel Gilmour on the timescale of the backlog.
Sir Stephen explained: 'Although we hold information on the time between initial disallowance and appeal hearing, DWP is not solely responsible for this wait time. Appeals are lodged by claimants with His Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS), which the claimant may take up to 13 months to do.
' DWP then have 28 days to respond to the appeal when notified by HMCTS. After this the time taken to list the appeal is dependent on HMCTS, who run tribunal hearings.'
The DWP Minister added: 'The median journey time for an appeal where the initial decision was made in December 2023, was 42 weeks. This represents time from appeal lodgement to clearance within DWP only and excludes any further time prior to Tribunal.
'Data for initial decisions made from 2024 onwards has not been used, to ensure reasonable time has passed for an accurate assessment of the time between an appeal lodgement and clearance within DWP.'
A successful claim for PIP or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - for people living in Scotland - is now worth between £29.20 and £187.45 each week in additional financial support and, as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £116.80 and £749.80 every payment period.
If you have made a claim for PIP and disagree with the award decision, you can challenge it - this may include asking for the decision to be looked at again (Mandatory Reconsideration), lodging an appeal or taking it to a tribunal.
The number of people claiming PIP has now hit a record-breaking high of 3.7 million and as a result, new claims are being prioritised over award reviews for existing claimants - but this will not impact the Mandatory Reconsideration process.
Below are some simple steps to follow if you think the DWP decision makers got it wrong. Full guidance on challenging benefit decisions can be found on GOV.UK here.
Check the PIP decision
If you don't understand the decision on your letter, you can ask the DWP to explain it by contacting them using the details on the top right of the decision letter. If you don't know if the decision is right, you can check whether you qualify by doing the PIP self test on the Benefits and Work website here.
This mock test has all the questions plus the points awarded for each answer and will help you understand:
Whether you would score enough points to receive PIP for each component (daily living and mobility)
Whether you would qualify for the standard or enhanced rate of each component
Ask for Mandatory Reconsideration
A Mandatory Reconsideration is when the DWP looks at their decision again and decides whether to change it.
The best way to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration is to write to the DWP at the address on your decision letter. You normally have one month from the date you got your decision letter to ask for Mandatory Reconsideration.
Get a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice
Once the DWP has looked again at the decision, they will send you a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. The Mandatory Reconsideration Notice will tell you if the decision has been changed or it stays the same.
Appeal to a Tribunal
If the DWP does not change their decision when you ask them to look at it again, you can appeal to an independent panel, called a tribunal.
The tribunal looks at the evidence from both sides, then makes a final decision. It is part of the court system - it is not part of the DWP.
When you can appeal to a tribunal
You can appeal any decision made about your PIP claim. Some of the most common reasons are:
you did not get PIP
you got a lower level of PIP than you expected
you think your PIP award should last for longer
The appeal will look at whether the decision was right at the time it was made - they won't consider whether your condition has got worse since then.
Get advice from your local Citizens Advice, welfare support team at your local council or online at Benefits and Work.
To be allowed to appeal to a tribunal, you will need:
your letter from the DWP with the words 'Mandatory Reconsideration Notice' at the top - if you've lost it, ask them for a new one
to send your appeal form in within one month of the date shown on the mandatory reconsideration notice
Citizens Advice warns that the tribunal process can take a long time. A statement on their website reads: 'The process can be draining but it's worth remembering that more than half of people who appeal their PIP decision win at a tribunal. If you feel the decision is wrong, don't be put off appealing.'
Complete the appeal form
There are two ways to appeal. You can either:
fill in an appeal form, called the SSCS1 - get a copy of the SSCS1 and check the guidance notes for the SSCS1 on Gov.uk
appeal against the decision online on Gov.uk
Make sure you complete the whole appeal form otherwise your appeal could be rejected.
Explain why you are appealing
The most important part of the application is 'Grounds for appeal'- if you're filling in form SSCS1, this is Section 5. In this box you need to give the specific reasons why you disagree with the decision.
Use your decision letter, statement of reasons and medical assessment report to note each of the statements you disagree with and why. Give facts, examples and medical evidence (if you have any) to support what you're saying.
You might have done this already for your Mandatory Reconsideration Letter - if so, you can use the same examples and pieces of evidence again.
You can include all this information on a separate sheet if you'd prefer, just write 'See enclosed information' in the box and attach any papers securely to the form.
Tribunals can look at your whole award again. So you should consider whether you risk losing your current award - for example, if you've got evidence to support a daily living component but might lose your mobility award because you can now move better.
If you're not sure, you should get advice from your nearest Citizens Advice or support team at your local council.
Getting help with your appeal
You can get help with your appeal from your local Citizens Advice, or a local disability support agency or group. You might be able to get someone like an adviser or a solicitor to act as your representative during the appeal, but they're not always available.
A representative can help you with the paperwork and might speak on your behalf. Don't worry if you don't have a representative - the tribunal board is most interested in hearing how your condition affects you and in your own words. Support from a friend or family member can really help, and you can do it without a professional.
Tribunal dates availability - ask for what you need
You can add the dates you're not available and information about anything you need at the hearing - if you're filling in form SSCS1, this is Section 7.
Think about anything that might stop you being able to go to the hearing and to write it down. For example:
you can only attend a hearing during school hours because of childcare responsibilities
holidays you've booked
any dates you've got important medical appointments
If you don't mention these and the hearing is booked for a date you're not available, you might not be able to change it.
Sending the form
If you fill out the online form, it's sent when you've completed it.
If you've filled out the paper form, send your documents to HM Courts and Tribunals Service, not to the DWP. The address is on the form. You should include the following:
the completed SSCS1 form
a copy of your Mandatory Reconsideration Notice
any further evidence you have - you can also send this later
Citizens Advice guidance states to post your appeal documents by recorded delivery if you can. Otherwise go to your local Post Office to post them and ask for proof of postage. This can help you later if the tribunal service says you didn't meet the deadline or if the letter gets lost in the post.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service will check the form and then ask the DWP for their response within another 28 days.
For more advice about challenging a PIP decision and understanding the tribunal process, Citizens Advice have detailed information plus examples of statements showing what to write when making an appeal. You can find all this information here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Disability cut impact could be even worse than expected warns food bank charity
Research commissioned by food bank charity Trussell found that 340,000 people in disabled households will be pushed into severe hardship by benefit changes being brought in by the Government Tens of thousands more people will be pushed into poverty by the Government's welfare cuts than previously feared, a major foodbank charity has warned. Trussell has claimed that 340,000 people in disabled households will be forced into severe hardship by the end of the decade. Keir Starmer faces a rebellion from his own party over a string of measures, including cutting access to the personal independence payment (PIP) and sickness-related elements of Universal Credit. The Government's assessment found 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will fall into relative poverty in England, Scotland and Wales after housing costs are taken into account. But Trussell's analysis said the true picture is even worse, with 440,000 likely to need a food bank - although an increase in the basic rate of Universal Credit will move around 95,000 people out of severe hardship. Helen Barnard, director of policy at Trussell, said: 'This UK government was elected on a promise of change, and with a commitment to end the need for food banks. If the government goes ahead with these ill-considered and cruel cuts to social security, this promise will not be kept – and instead, they will risk leaving behind a legacy of rising poverty and hunger. "Tackling fiscal challenges should not be done at the expense of people already facing hunger and hardship. These cuts will force 440,000 people in disabled households into severe hardship and leave them at risk of needing a food bank. "We urge the government not to continue down this damaging path." The PM faces fierce opposition from Labour backbenchers, dozens of who say the proposals - expected to save £5billion a year - are "impossible to support". Charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has backed Trussell's calls for the Government to rethink the disability benefit cuts. It said: "This analysis shows they are likely to create more deep poverty and hardship than even the bleak forecast from the Government's own limited assessments." Trussell has also demanded the Government brings forward the planned increase to the basic rate of Universal Credit to April 2026, instead of waiting until April 2029. A Government spokesperson said: "This Government is determined to change people's lives for the better, helping them out of poverty and tackling the unacceptable rise in food bank dependence in recent years. "We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected."
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
DWP pensioners get Migration Notice letter as benefits end
Tax Credits ended on April 5, 2025, the first of this year's legacy benefit closures. Housing Benefit is also ending and is being replaced by Universal Credit (except in certain circumstances). Claimants must switch to Universal Credit when they receive their migration notice letter, or payments will cease, and time is fast running out. Those who miss their deadline date can still move to Universal Credit later, but they won't receive important financial protections designed to prevent them from losing money. These rules only apply to those who receive a letter - and the protection helps those who receive less under Universal Credit than their current benefits. For example, if someone receives £600 from Tax Credits but would only be entitled to £400 under Universal Credit, they can receive a £200 top-up to maintain their current level. Transitional protection sounds short-term, but it actually lasts until the amount you get in Universal Credit is more than the amount you used to get on your old benefits – for example, because Universal Credit amounts are increased in line with inflation each year, or you become eligible for more support. But, it only continues while your circumstances stay the same - and can be lost due to a significant life change that causes your eligibility to be reassessed – for example, you move in with a partner. What is Managed Migration? The move is part of the DWP's ongoing managed migration programme, which aims to move all claimants of legacy benefits to Universal Credit by March 2026. The full details are listed here. These include Child Tax Credits Housing Benefit Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Working Tax Credits There has been significant confusion about the transition process, with many recipients at risk of losing their transitional protection if they fail to respond within three months of receiving their notice. The DWP plans to send migration notices to all legacy benefit claimants by the end of this year. The migration notice will detail the exact date one needs to make a claim. Those needing assistance with their migration can contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline. Recommended reading: Housing Benefit managed migration letters Housing Benefit will be ending, apart from in the following circumstances: you're in supported or temporary accommodation your Housing Benefit will continue and will not end if you do not get Universal Credit or stop claiming Universal Credit you're eligible to reclaim Housing Benefit You're in supported or temporary accommodation If you get Housing Benefit and you're not sure if you live in supported or temporary accommodation, speak to your local council. New @mmhpi research warns that government's planned PIP reforms will have a 'catastrophic impact' on people's finances and mental health, and could drive people out of the workplace. It says "A system which was already doing a poor job of understanding how mental health… — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 5, 2025 Reclaiming Housing Benefit Your Housing Benefit will be ending 2 weeks after your deadline date. However, you may be eligible to reclaim Housing Benefit within 3 months if: your Housing Benefit is stopped, and you have not claimed Universal Credit you claimed before your deadline date but were not entitled to Universal Credit you stop receiving Universal Credit You can get advice from your local council about backdating your Housing Benefit claim. Your claim can only be backdated for up to 3 months. Find out more about Housing Benefit eligibility. Claiming Pension Credit instead of Universal Credit You can choose to claim Pension Credit instead of Universal Credit. If your claim to Pension Credit is accepted, you: cannot then apply for Universal Credit will not get Pension Credit transitional protection may receive less financial support Find out more about Pension Credit. You can also use the Pension Credit calculator to work out how much you might get. Pension Credit is one of the most underclaimed benefits, and is the gateway to lots of pension age means-tested benefits, such as Winter Fuel Payments, so it's important to claim. What you get if you receive a DWP managed migration notice On Universal Credit, most people are entitled to the same amount they received from their previous benefits, or more. Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you: have children need help paying your rent have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working If you have a disability or health condition which means you get a disability benefit, you may get an extra amount of Universal Credit. You do not need to provide a fit note or have a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). Removal of the benefit cap The benefit cap is normally applied to Universal Credit and other benefits. This is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. However, the benefit cap does not apply if: you're State Pension age you're still working you received a Migration Notice letter If the amount you were entitled to on tax credits was more than you get on Universal Credit, you get a top up. It's paid to you automatically if you got a Migration Notice letter and made a Universal Credit claim by your deadline date.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
Pensions report cuts Reeves' planned growth funds from £160bn to £11bn
Plans to invest £160bn of surplus funds from final salary pension schemes to boost the UK economy over the next 10 years have been dealt a blow by a Whitehall assessment that found there was likely to be little more than £11bn available to spend. In a knock to Rachel Reeves's growth agenda, a report by civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that the expected surpluses in occupational schemes would be used by businesses to offload their pension liabilities to insurance companies. It could mean that as little as £8.4bn would be available for companies to invest in new equipment or technology, but the figure was likely to be nearer £11bn, the DWP said on Friday. 'It is estimated that an additional £11.2bn surplus will be extracted as a result of the preferred option to legislate over a 10-year period,' the report said. Pension surpluses were a significant pillar of the chancellor's plans to use private sector funds to grow the economy during a period when state funds are likely to be severely restricted. Reeves is expected to lay out her growth plans on Wednesday in the spending review, which will set out the government priorities for the next year. Earlier this year she said about 75% of final salary schemes, also known as defined benefit schemes, were in surplus, worth £160bn, but restrictions have meant businesses have struggled to invest them. In her Mansion House speech in November, Reeves also outlined proposals for pension megafunds to be created from individual defined contribution schemes and a merger of local authority pension schemes to make the pensions industry more cost-effective. A pensions bill going through parliament will allow pension fund trustees to unlock trapped surplus funds that Reeves said would increase investment in British businesses and lift economic growth. Hundreds of final salary schemes, which spent decades in deficit, meaning the value of their obligations to members outweighed their assets, have moved into surplus in recent years after an increase in interest rates. 'Although fewer than 700,000 people are actively saving into a private sector defined benefit scheme, the sector remains a significant market within the UK economic landscape,' the report said. 'Across around 5,000 schemes, around nine million members are being supported with assets of around £1.2tn.' An impact assessment by DWP officials said legislation was needed to overhaul the pension system and give trustees the power to access surplus funds. It said a failure to act would also mean 'an opportunity to benefit members, businesses and to drive economic growth would be missed. Therefore 'do nothing' is not considered a desirable option.' However, a combination of factors means the expected surplus for investment is reduced to no more than £12bn over 10 years, in part because the legislation does not force trustees of defined benefit funds to use surpluses for investment, and that most occupational final salary schemes have reached a level where a buyout is possible. In a note for the Pension Insurance Corporation, an independent expert, John Ralfe, said: 'Forget about £160bn of pension surpluses just waiting, as Rachel Reeves said, to be paid out to 'drive growth and boost working people's pension pots'. 'The DWP figures estimate just a fraction of this – under £12bn – will be paid out over the next 10 years, mainly because most companies want a full buyout with an insurance company. 'And the bill contains no details of how pensions will be protected if cash is withdrawn. Member security must be a priority with strict rules on repaying amounts if funding deteriorates,' he added. Many pension fund trustees are known to be concerned that allowing company boards access to surplus funds could leave their schemes vulnerable after a panic in financial markets. Without strong safeguards, giving businesses access to surplus pension funds could also make them more attractive targets for foreign takeovers. It is understood the new regime will allow trustees to block moves to access surplus funds if they believe it will undermine the safety of the fund. The pensions minister Torsten Bell said: 'I have read the impact assessment, and I am satisfied that, given the available evidence, it represents a reasonable view of the likely costs, benefits and impact of the leading options.' The Treasury and the DWP were contacted for comment.
