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Request for a mandatory reconsideration of a DWP decision (Great Britain)
England, Scotland and Wales · in English
€2.00This document is sold blank, to print and complete by hand.
Made for use in England, Scotland and Wales
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This document is sold blank, to print and complete by hand.
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For a claimant in England, Wales or Scotland who disagrees with a DWP decision on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance, another DWP benefit or, in England and Wales, Personal Independence Payment. A written request to look again at the decision, within one month (or up to 13 months with reasons): it says why the decision is wrong, lists new evidence and asks for DWP's evidence and a mandatory reconsideration notice. The journal and DWP's own form are free. Posted first class. Not for Social Security Scotland's benefits, such as Adult Disability Payment: they have a redetermination. Sold blank, as it may hold health data.
- Made for use in England, Scotland and Wales
- Last updated October 29, 2026
- Document in English
Where a UK document reproduces the words of legislation or of a government publication — UK, Scottish or Northern Irish — it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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When to use this document
- DWP has cut or stopped your Universal Credit in England, Wales or Scotland and you think the decision is wrong.
- You scored no points at your PIP assessment in England or Wales and want the decision looked at again.
- DWP says you were overpaid and must pay it back, and you disagree.
- You want to ask for a mandatory reconsideration by letter with new evidence.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Sender
- Sender's address
- Town or city
- Sender's postcode
- Date
- Recipient
- Recipient's address
- Recipient's postcode
- National Insurance number
- Benefit the decision is about (e.g. Universal Credit)
- Date of the decision
- Summary of the decision
- Grounds
- Reasons for asking late (only if more than a month has passed)
- Phone
- Attachments
Common questions
- Do I need a letter to ask for a mandatory reconsideration?
- No. For Universal Credit you can ask through your online journal or the helpline; for other DWP benefits, by phone on the number in the decision letter or with the free CRMR1 form on GOV.UK. A letter helps when you want to set out your reasons and evidence in full and keep a copy of exactly what you sent; it goes to the office that made the decision, at the address on the decision letter. If you use the journal, save a screenshot of your request. In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment and Social Security Scotland's other benefits are challenged by a redetermination instead.
- What is the deadline for a mandatory reconsideration?
- One month from the date of the decision letter. A late request can still be accepted up to 13 months after the decision if you explain the special circumstances that made you late. For Universal Credit, ESA, JSA and, in England and Wales, PIP, the one-month limit is in regulation 5, and the late request in regulation 6, of the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2013. Child Benefit decisions are HMRC's, with their own process.
- What happens after the mandatory reconsideration?
- DWP sends you a mandatory reconsideration notice. If you still disagree, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber), free, normally within one month of the date of that notice. New evidence often matters more than how the request is worded. Citizens Advice and local welfare rights services help free with requests and appeals.
How you can sign this document
- Print it and sign by hand. The signature lines in the document are left blank on purpose — sign on them in ink.
- Sign it yourself with a qualified electronic signature. If you already hold a QES — Evrotrust, B-Trust, StampIT, ZealiD or any qualified provider on the EU Trusted List, on a card, a USB token, in a mobile app or in the cloud — our signing guide explains step by step how to sign this exact file without invalidating it. Step-by-step help, and a way to check it worked
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