Mandatory Reconsideration
(MR)
Mandatory Reconsideration is a process by which the DWP reviews a benefits decision before a claimant can appeal to an independent tribunal. A request must normally be made within one month of the decision letter. The DWP must look at the decision again and issue a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice before an appeal can be lodged.
Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) is a compulsory internal review stage before a claimant can appeal a DWP decision to an independent tribunal. You must request MR in writing within one month of the decision letter (though late requests can sometimes be accepted). The DWP issues a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice — only then can you submit an appeal to His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). A key pitfall is missing the one-month deadline; if you do, explain why clearly. During MR, benefit payments generally continue at the old rate. Statistics show MR changes around 20% of decisions; the independent tribunal changes a further 60–70%, so do not give up if the MR fails. Submit any new medical evidence with your MR request to improve your chances at this stage.
Related guides
Mandatory Reconsideration
If the DWP makes a decision about your benefits that you disagree with — a refusal, an underpayment, a sanction, or an overpayment decision — you cannot go straight to a tribunal. You must first request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR). This is a free process where a different DWP decision maker reviews the original decision.
9 min
Benefit Appeals: Taking Your Case to Tribunal
If your Mandatory Reconsideration has not resolved your dispute with the DWP, you have the right to appeal to an independent tribunal. The Social Security and Child Support Tribunal is free to use and has much higher success rates than the MR process — around 60% of PIP appeals succeed at tribunal. Understanding the process gives you the best chance of a positive outcome.
9 min