Around one million people in England and Wales could face serious issues due to new government changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) — a benefit that helps people with long-term health conditions or disabilities manage extra living costs.
What’s Changing with the Rules?
Under the new PIP assessment rules, it’s going to be harder to qualify.
Old Rule:
- You needed to score 8 points across all categories.
New Rule:
- Now, you must score at least 4 points in a single category to qualify.
This new scoring method could disqualify thousands who would have previously been eligible.
Why People Are Worried
Even before these changes, many found the PIP process:
- Overwhelming
- Invasive
- Complicated
And now, with stricter criteria, there’s concern that many people who genuinely need support will be denied.
Appeals Are Common – and Often Successful
- PIP has the highest appeal success rate of all UK benefits.
- Roughly 70% of people who challenge the DWP’s decision win their case at a tribunal.
How to Challenge a PIP Decision
If you’ve been denied PIP or disagree with your award, you have two main steps to appeal:
Step 1: Mandatory Reconsideration (Ask DWP to Review the Decision)
What is it?
Your first step is to ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to look at your case again.
When should you do this?
- Ideally within 1 month of getting your decision letter.
- In some cases, you can still apply up to 13 months later.
How to request it:
You can choose any of the following methods:
- In Writing: Send a letter to the address listed at the bottom of your decision letter.
- By Phone: Call the number on your letter (but follow up with a written confirmation).
- Online Form: Fill out the mandatory reconsideration form on your computer, print it, and send it in.
What to include:
- Explain clearly what you think was scored incorrectly.
- Focus on which activities you should have scored points for, and why.
There’s no set deadline for how long the DWP takes to reply.
Good news:
- If you’re already receiving PIP and are appealing the amount or length, your current payments will continue during the appeal.
Step 2: Appeal to an Independent Tribunal
If the DWP still refuses to change their decision after reconsideration, you can take it further.
What is a tribunal?
It’s a completely independent panel that looks at your case. It’s not connected to the government.
How to start an appeal:
- You have 1 month after getting the reconsideration decision.
- You can appeal online or by filling out paper forms (info is on gov.uk).
What happens next?
- You’ll receive a large file from the DWP with all the information about your case.
- Go through it and mark anything that’s incorrect or unfair.
Do I have to attend the hearing?
- Not always — the DWP may change their decision before the hearing.
- But attending greatly improves your chances. Many who go say it’s not as scary as they thought.
Your hearing must be accessible – if you need any adjustments, let the tribunal service know.
Need Help with Forms or Appeals?
If you’re not confident with computers or need help:
Contact the We Are Group:
- Call: 03300 160 051 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
- Or text FORM to 60777 for a call back
For Welsh speakers:
- Call 0300 303 5170 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5pm)
Want Someone to Represent You?
You can appoint a representative to help you with your appeal. This can be:
- A friend
- A family member
- Citizens Advice or another benefits support organisation
They can:
- Help you prepare
- Talk on your behalf
- Give you guidance
To officially register a representative, either:
- Include their name when you submit your appeal
- Or write to: HMCTS Benefit Appeals, PO Box 12626, Harlow, CM20 9QF
FAQs
How do I appeal a PIP decision if I’ve been refused or awarded less than expected?
Start by requesting a mandatory reconsideration from the DWP within 1 month of the decision. You can do this by phone, in writing, or using the online form. If the DWP still refuses to change its decision, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.
Will my PIP payments stop while I appeal?
If you’re already receiving PIP and are only appealing the amount or length of your award, your existing PIP payments will continue during the appeal process. However, if you’ve been completely denied, payments won’t start unless the appeal is successful.
Do I need to go to a tribunal hearing to win my appeal?
Not always — many appeals are resolved before the hearing. But attending the hearing significantly increases your chances of success. You can explain your situation in your own words, and many people say the hearing wasn’t as intimidating as they feared.
Can someone help me with my appeal or act on my behalf?
Yes! You can appoint a representative — a friend, family member, or someone from Citizens Advice or another support service — to help you prepare, speak for you, and handle letters. Just make sure you register them officially with the tribunal service.
