Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration)

Skip contents

How to ask for mandatory reconsideration

Contact the benefits office that gave you the decision. You can contact them:

The contact details are on your decision letter.

You usually need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter. If you’re writing, the letter or form must arrive by then.

If you do not have your decision letter, contact the office where you applied for the benefit.

What you need to provide

When you ask for mandatory reconsideration, you need to give:

  • the date of the original benefit decision
  • your name and address
  • your date of birth
  • your National Insurance number

Explain what part of the decision is wrong and why - you can send evidence to support your reasons.

If you send evidence

Any evidence you send needs to support your reasons for why the decision was wrong. It could, for example, be:

  • new medical evidence
  • reports or care plans from specialists, therapists or nurses
  • bank statements or payslips

Only include evidence you have not already sent.

Write your full name, date of birth and National Insurance number at the top of each bit of evidence and send it to the benefit office where you applied for your benefit.

You cannot claim back the cost of any evidence you pay for.

Do not include:

  • general information about your condition - for example factsheets, medical certificates or sick notes
  • appointment cards or letters about medical appointments, unless you could not claim your benefit because you were at the appointment
  • letters about tests that you’re due to have
  • bus or train tickets to prove you’ve made a journey

If you’re not sure what evidence to send, read the guidance for the form for asking for mandatory reconsideration. You can also call the number on your decision letter.

Applying after one month

You can ask for mandatory reconsideration after one month but it must be for a good reason, for example if you’ve been in hospital or had a bereavement. You must explain why your request is late.

Call the phone number on your decision letter first.

What happens next

The benefits office that gave you the original benefit decision will reconsider it.

When they’ve reconsidered it, you’ll get a letter called a ‘mandatory reconsideration notice’ telling you whether they’ve changed the decision.

The mandatory reconsideration notice will explain the reasons for that decision and the evidence it was based on.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Challenge and appeal a benefit decision: step by step

  1. Step 1 Find support and advice

    You can get free support and advice from:

    1. You can also seek advice from a legal adviser or solicitor

  2. Step 2 Ask for mandatory reconsideration

    1. Ask for the benefits decision to be looked at again (mandatory reconsideration)

    You normally need to do this within one month of the date on your decision letter.

  3. Step 3 Appeal the decision to a tribunal

    If you’re unhappy with the decision after mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal it to a tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal

  4. Step 4 Ask for the tribunal's decision to be 'set aside' (cancelled)

    If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for it to be set aside (cancelled). The decision letter from the tribunal will tell you how to do this.

  5. or Appeal the tribunal's decision

    If you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, you can appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

  6. and Check if you can get legal aid

    You may be eligible for legal aid to help you appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Check if you can get legal aid