What happens to my benefits after mandatory reconsideration?

If you are found fit for work after mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal to the tribunal. You will get a tribunal confirmation letter once your appeal request has been received. Once you get the confirmation letter you should contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to check they have received your appeal and check that they have reinstated your Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If you claimed another benefit like Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) during your mandatory reconsideration period this claim will need to be cancelled if your ESA is reinstated. Your ESA should be paid at the assessment rate and continue until your appeal has been heard.  

You will not get any ESA after a mandatory reconsideration if you have made another claim after a failed claim. You can only do so if your health gets worse.

You won’t get ESA after your mandatory reconsideration if your appeal is about not completing the health questionnaire or not attending the medical.

How do I challenge a Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) decision?

If you were asking for a mandatory reconsideration on your Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), the DWP will either decide to give you this benefit or not. If they choose not to give you the benefit, you can appeal to the independent tribunal but you will not be paid PIP, DLA or JSA during the appeal.

Challenging a Universal Credit (UC) decision

If you were challenging the decision not to award the limited capability for work element of Universal Credit (UC), you may be awarded the element after mandatory reconsideration. If not, you can appeal to the tribunal – you can claim the standard allowance of UC during this time.

You can find more information in the following sections:

• Universal Credit (UC)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Welfare benefits and mental illness
• Appeals
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP).