PIP Mandatory Reconsideration and Appeals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What happens to your PIP payments during the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) process?
- Payments stop immediately
- Payments continue at the same rate as before the decision (Correct answer)
- Payments are halved during review
- A temporary emergency payment is issued
Correct answer: Payments continue at the same rate as before the decision
If you were already receiving PIP and request MR, your payments continue at the previous rate while the reconsideration is underway.
Question 2: Which body carries out the Mandatory Reconsideration of a PIP decision?
- Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service
- The DWP's Dispute Resolution Team (Correct answer)
- An independent appeals panel
- The same DWP decision maker who issued the original decision
Correct answer: The DWP's Dispute Resolution Team
The DWP's Dispute Resolution Team reviews the decision internally during Mandatory Reconsideration.
Question 3: After receiving a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (MRN), how long do you have to appeal to the tribunal?
- 14 days
- 28 days
- 1 month (Correct answer)
- 3 months
Correct answer: 1 month
You have one calendar month from the date of the MRN to submit an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
Question 4: Which form must you use to appeal a PIP decision to the First-tier Tribunal after receiving an MRN?
- SSCS1 (Correct answer)
- GL24
- PIP2
- SSCS5
Correct answer: SSCS1
Form SSCS1 is the standard appeal form used to challenge a benefit decision at the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.
Question 5: What does the tribunal consider when hearing a PIP appeal?
- Only the medical evidence submitted originally
- Whether the DWP followed correct procedures only
- The law, evidence, and your circumstances at the time of the original decision (Correct answer)
- Only new evidence submitted after the MR
Correct answer: The law, evidence, and your circumstances at the time of the original decision
The tribunal considers all relevant law and evidence, but typically assesses your condition as it was at the time of the original decision.
Question 6: What is a 'paper hearing' in the context of a PIP tribunal appeal?
- A hearing where only written evidence is considered, without the appellant attending (Correct answer)
- A hearing where medical records are reviewed by a doctor
- A preliminary hearing to determine if the case proceeds
- A hearing conducted entirely by post
Correct answer: A hearing where only written evidence is considered, without the appellant attending
A paper hearing means the tribunal decides the case based on written submissions without you or a DWP representative being present.
Question 7: If you miss the one-month deadline to appeal after receiving an MRN, what can you do?
- You lose all right to challenge the decision permanently
- You can apply for a late appeal if you have good reason for the delay (Correct answer)
- You must restart the entire MR process
- You can only request a supersession, not an appeal
Correct answer: You can apply for a late appeal if you have good reason for the delay
Late appeals can be accepted up to 13 months after the MRN date if you can demonstrate a good reason for the delay.
PIP Mandatory Reconsideration and Appeals 2
What happens to your PIP payments during the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) process?