Appealing a personal independence payment decision

You can appeal against a PIP decision if:

• you weren’t awarded PIP
• you were given less money than you expected
• you think you should get PIP for longer
• PIP for longer

Just bear in mind, if you challenge a PIP decision, the amount you get could go down and you could be awarded PIP for a shorter time.

You can’t appeal against a PIP decision if:

• the decision was made before 6 April 2016
• a tribunal has ruled on your claim since 6 April 2016
• you’ve been getting the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP continuously since 6 April 2016

There are a few different stages to appealing a PIP decision.

Mandatory reconsideration

When you get your decision letter, if you think you’ve been awarded the wrong amount or your award is not long enough, you have a month to ask for mandatory reconsideration. 

Appealing to a tribunal

If you’re unhappy with the outcome of mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal to an independent panel. This is called a tribunal and is part of the court system.

You normally have to appeal within a month of getting your mandatory reconsideration notice.

What happens if I miss the appeal deadline?

You might still be able to appeal after missing the deadline if the decision date was less than 13 months ago and you have a good reason for the delay e.g. you’ve been ill or you didn’t get the right information about your appeal.  

The tribunal will look at the evidence from you and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before making a final decision about your PIP.

Around 70% of people win their PIP tribunals so it’s worth challenging the decision if you think it’s wrong. 

You have to appeal directly to the tribunal service. This is called ‘direct lodgement’.

You can either appeal online or by submitting an SSCS1 appeal form. If you’ve filled in a paper form, you’ll need to send this to the HM Courts & Tribunal address on the form, not DWP. If you’ve got a written submission or additional evidence, include this too.

You’ll need your national insurance number, your mandatory reconsideration notice and details of any representatives helping you. Ask DWP for a new notice if you’ve lost yours.

Oral or paper hearings

The PIP appeal form will ask if you want a paper or oral hearing.

A paper hearing means they’ll look at your case without you being there.

An oral hearing means you’ll have to attend an informal meeting. You’re allowed to take a family member with you for support.

You’ve got a better chance of winning an oral hearing as you’ll be able to answer any specific questions the tribunal might have. 

Special requirements

You can state any special requirements you have when filling in the PIP appeal form or a few weeks before your hearing, including:

• any dates you can’t attend a tribunal e.g. because of holidays or any important medical appointments
• if you can only attend an appeal during school hours because of childcare responsibilities
• accessibility help
• communication help  

Writing a submission for a PIP tribunal

A written submission can help clarify your arguments. 

DWP will get a copy of this when you send it to HM Courts & Tribunal service. 

Your decision letter, statement of reasons and medical assessment reports may be useful – write down which points you disagree with and explain why, using simple English. 

Try to stay neutral and explain why the decision is wrong, using facts, medical evidence and examples to back up what you’re saying.

Medical evidence

The tribunal won’t contact medical professionals to ask for evidence. 

If you want to include medical evidence to back up your PIP appeal, you’ll need to gather it yourself. 

This can be a letter or report that supports your claim. You can reuse evidence you sent in for your mandatory reconsideration.

Try to send any evidence with your appeal form. But if you can’t, that’s okay – you can send it afterwards. You can also submit medical evidence on the day of the hearing. 

It’s a good idea to make copies of all your evidence and bring them with you to the hearing, just in case something goes missing.

When HM Courts & Tribunal gets your appeal, they’ll tell DWP you’re appealing and ask for their reply within 28 days. 

After this, you’ll be sent: 

• a copy of DWP’s reply
• information about what happens next
• hearing details, including when and where it’ll take place

You can also register for appeal updates via text or email e.g. reminders to send evidence/the date of your hearing/confirmation your evidence has arrived.

Citizens Advice, Law Centre, your council’s welfare rights service, or an independent advice agency can all help you with your appeal. A representative can help you with the paperwork or attend the tribunal with you. 

If you don’t have a representative, you’ll need to represent yourself at the hearing. 

A friend or relative can help you prepare and come with you, but you’ll need to talk to the panel.

They’ll want to hear how your condition affects you.

You’ll usually get this on the same day. The tribunal will ask you to leave the room while they decide. If they don’t make a decision on the day, they’ll post it to you. 

If you win your PIP appeal

If you win your appeal, you’ll get an official notice in the post within a couple of weeks. 

You’ll start getting the new amount every month, plus a backdated sum. This will usually be paid in four-six weeks and covers the amount you should have been getting from the start of your claim. 

Your backdated pay may be provided in a lump sum or in instalments (if DWP thinks that’s in you best interests). They’ll need your agreement to pay you in instalments though.

If you lose your PIP appeal

If you lose your appeal, you’ll get an official notice and a guide explaining your options. 

If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for written reasons. You’ll only be able to appeal if they’ve made a legal mistake. And you’ll need specialist advice if you want to appeal.

You can reapply for PIP but you’re unlikely to get a different result unless your condition has changed.