Mandatory Reconsideration — How to Challenge a Benefit Decision

A Mandatory Reconsideration is a formal request for DWP to look at a decision again. A different decision-maker reviews the case — they can uphold the original decision, change it in your favour, or make it worse (though worsening is rare).

Most MRs result in the original decision being upheld — but an unsuccessful MR still gives you the right to tribunal, where the success rate is significantly higher.

If you have missed the deadline, you can still request a late MR — but you must have a good reason for the delay. Acceptable reasons include:

• ✓Serious illness preventing you from acting
• ✓A bereavement in your close family
• ✓You did not receive the decision letter
• ✓You sought advice and were given incorrect information causing the delay

DWP should send you a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (MRN) within a few weeks, though it can take longer. The notice will either:

• ✓Uphold the original decision — you can now appeal to tribunal
• ✓Change the decision in your favour — your benefit is corrected
• ✓Change the decision in another way (rare)

Once you receive your MRN, you have one month to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal if you want to take it further. Keep your MRN safe — you'll need it to appeal.

A good MR letter is specific, evidence-based, and references the decision-making criteria. For each reason you disagree with the decision:

• ✓State the specific descriptor or criterion you believe has been applied incorrectly
• ✓Explain what the correct application should be and why
• ✓Reference any supporting evidence (attach it or state it was previously submitted)
• ✓If it's a PIP decision, go through each activity and descriptor point by point
• ✓If it's a UC sanction, explain the reason you had for not meeting the commitment