PIP decision letter explained: how to challenge it

What this kind of letter means

You've been turned down for PIP. You scored 6 points for daily living and 4 for mobility, but you need 8 for either part. If you think that's wrong, you must ask the DWP to look again (a 'mandatory reconsideration') by 6 December 2026.

PIP has two parts, daily living and mobility. Each is scored by adding points for activities such as preparing food, washing or moving around: 8 points gives the standard rate and 12 the enhanced rate. You're 2 points short for daily living. You must ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision date before you can appeal to a tribunal. A late request can sometimes be accepted with a good reason, up to 13 months, but don't rely on that. Many PIP decisions change at reconsideration or appeal, especially with good evidence about how your condition affects you on most days.

Things worth checking

• You're 2 points short for daily living. One more activity scored correctly could change the outcome.
• Ask for your assessment report: it shows why each score was given, and mistakes are common.
• Asking for the report doesn't stop the one-month clock, so send your reconsideration request in time.

Your options

• Ask for a reconsideration. By phone or letter. Explain which activities you think were scored wrongly.
• Get free help. Citizens Advice and welfare rights advisers help with PIP challenges for free.
• Gather evidence. GP or consultant letters, prescriptions, and a diary of a typical week.

If you ignore it

After a month you lose the easy route to challenge it, and you can't appeal to a tribunal without a reconsideration first.

What usually decides this

Stronger if you can show, with evidence, how your condition affects you on most days for activities you scored low on. Weaker if the report reflects what you said at the assessment.

The rules

• To challenge a DWP decision you usually ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision letter. Later requests need a good reason. You can ask by phone or in writing.
  England, Wales, Scotland. Source: GOV.UK: How to ask for mandatory reconsideration
• If the reconsideration doesn't change things, you can appeal free to an independent tribunal within one month of the mandatory reconsideration notice.
  England, Wales, Scotland. Source: GOV.UK: Appeal a benefit decision
• PIP is scored by activity: 8 points gives the standard rate and 12 the enhanced rate, for daily living and for mobility separately.
  England, Wales. Source: GOV.UK: Appeal a benefit decision
• In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland, which has its own redetermination process.
  Scotland. Source: mygov.scot: Adult Disability Payment

Rules last checked 13 November 2026.

Words you might see

• Mandatory reconsideration: Asking the DWP to look at its decision again. You must do this before you can appeal.
• Descriptor: A statement in each PIP activity, like 'needs prompting', that carries a set number of points.
• Tribunal: An independent panel you can appeal to if the reconsideration doesn't change the decision.

An example reply

From our worked example. Letter Clear writes one for your own letter, in your name.

Dear Sir or Madam,

National Insurance number: QQ 12 34 56 C

I am asking for a mandatory reconsideration of the decision on my Personal Independence Payment dated 6 November 2026.

I don't think the decision reflects how my condition affects me. I will send further details and evidence, and I ask you to consider them before you make your decision.

Please also send me a copy of my assessment report.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Phone number]

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