Mandatory Reconsideration

Darren1993
Darren1993 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in PIP, DLA, ADP & AA

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice about my PIP Mandatory Reconsideration.

I recently had my PIP MR refused, which I found out after calling them back after they tried to call me. The part I’m concerned about is how the MR was handled.

The DWP texted me on a Saturday afternoon to say they would be calling me the same day. I had no advance notice that a call was coming, and I didn’t expect any contact on a weekend as PIP normally works Monday–Friday.

I was unwell with sickness and caring for my daughter who was also unwell, so I didn’t see the text until later. My phone also did not show any missed call, but the MR team said they attempted to call twice and then made the MR decision the same day, because they only attempt to call twice and then make the decision anyway without my input.

They did not ask me why I missed the call or offer another opportunity to speak. The call handler I eventually spoke to simply said they “only try twice” and then make the decision anyway.

The MR decision was completed without giving me any realistic chance to clarify the points I raised in my MR, despite me challenging several descriptors and providing explanations.

I’m now waiting for the written MR notice so I can submit an appeal, but I wanted to check:

Is it normal for the MR clarification call to be attempted on a Saturday?

Should I have been given proper notice or another chance to speak?

Does the lack of fair opportunity to take the call strengthen my position for tribunal?

And is there anything I should be doing while waiting for the MR letter?

Any advice or guidance would be really appreciated, especially from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Thank you.

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Comments

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 1,224 Championing

    @Darren1993 you need to contact a benefit advisor really. There will be links on this website. Did you progress your MR in writing, this is the best way to do it so all your points are noted when a decision maker looks at it. You can progress a MR by phone if you called about it and PIP will want to progress it by phone, but you don't know all your points have been written down!

    The majority of MR decisions remain the same as the original decision, so don't overly stress out about it.

    I personally can't answer your questions as I progressed my MR in writing. The Tribunal Appeal is the next step for you by the looK of it.

  • Darren1993
    Darren1993 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Hi @Trevor_PIP

    I sent off my form for mandatory reconsideration, waited a few months, then I got a message on a Saturday saying they will call that day, but I wasn't available for multiple reasons and then they didn't try again and just immediately decided that my decision won't change.

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 1,224 Championing
    edited December 2025
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1087781#Comment_1087781

    So you did a written MR. They may have called, if they did, to clarify a few points, but you will have had it detailed so don't blame yourself. The majority of MR decisions remain the same as the original decision. You can discuss your case with Citizens Advice, and they may be able to answer your questions. I can't offer anymore help currently.

  • EmmaLo
    EmmaLo Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    Just wanted to add, that I came on here because the exact same thing happened to me: I sent my MR in writing, disputing mainly the mobility elements. I had a missed call from a random number which I missed, then a text saying they tried to contact me and will try again with an unknown number, or one beginning in 0300...I didn't see any further missed calls, then a couple days later (yesterday) got my decision through saying they cannot change it at this time.

    I'm at that stage where I dont know if I can handle putting an appeal though/got to tribunal, yet on the other hand I'm thinking; wait, did they not need to speak with me? Getting the feeling if they can't reach you they make the decision without whatever details needed clarification 😒.

    I am going to see how I feel over the next few days because I am absolutely drained by the whole thing, same as us all! It's just that generally, with no car now, which I'll obviously have to take back, I cannot see how I will leave the house at all.

    I have enhanced for daily living but only 4 points for mobility😫. They acknowledged I cannot stand for longer than 5 minutes, so how can I walk or wait for the bus? Anyhow all the usual pit falls, just wanted to put my experience on here for others to use for info if needed.

    God bless and thank you for your support and information

  • Carmen_28
    Carmen_28 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    I recently had the same, I didn't see the text until an hour before the MRI call, I was in a severe flare up and I tired to call the helpline to ask for a different time and date up due to how severe the fatigue was. After 20 minutes the noise (hold music) was causing me to decline further so I hung up.

    The DWP MR person then called, I explained I was very ill and struggling with talking for very long, they said don't worry it will only take 5 minutes.

    They asked me if anything had changed since I sent the MR in January. I said I had deteriorated further and was struggling even more physically. Because of the type of conditions I have the fatigue affects the brain i didn't have the cognitive function or wherewithal to explain that means the cognitive functional capacity is also impacted. I did say I couldn't talk for very long as talking causes me to crash.

    They then said are you happy to have the back dated money in you account, I said yes but the point was the reassessment hadn't been a reflection of my daily lived experience and the point was to make sure it acknowledged not just the physical impact but the cognitive as well, and adjust zero points.

    7 days letter, MR decision, no change.

    As I am cognitively impacted everyday and unless I can find an experienced advocate I am not well enough to go through a gruelling gather of even more evidence, the medical specialist has a 6 month wait so I can't get that evidence in time and it all just feels like an avalanche which I can't sustain. My functional capacity is low anyway, this is just making it worse.

    I feel that not going to tribunal isn't the right answer but going through the process will make me even more ill.

    So in essence even though they had called me they had already made the decision, he said as much in the call and it didn't change anything.

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