Challenge a Benefit Decision (mandatory reconsideration)

Eligibility 

If you disagree with a decision about benefits, tax credits or child maintenance you can ask for the decision to be looked at again - this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’. 

You can do this if any of the following apply: 

  • you think the office dealing with your claim has made an error or missed important evidence  
  • you disagree with the reasons for the decision 
  • you want to have the decision looked at again 

Some decisions cannot be reconsidered - it’ll say on your original decision letter. 

You need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date of the decision. 

Benefits this applies to 

You can ask for mandatory reconsideration (external link) for benefits including: 

  • Attendance Allowance 
  • Bereavement Allowance 
  • Carer’s Allowance 
  • Carer’s Credit 
  • Child maintenance (sometimes known as ‘child support’) 
  • Compensation Recovery Scheme (including NHS recovery claims) 
  • Diffuse Mesotheliomia Payment Scheme 
  • Disability Living Allowance 
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 
  • Funeral Expenses Payment 
  • Income Support 
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit 
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 
  • Maternity Allowance 
  • Pension Credit 
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 
  • Sure Start Maternity Grant 
  • Universal Credit (including advance payments) 
  • Winter Fuel Payment 

There’s a different process for: 

Also see: