You can appeal against a decision on the DLA claim you made for your child – for example, if:

• you’ve been told your child’s not eligible for DLA
• you’ve been given a lower rate than you expected

It’s possible that you could end up with less DLA than you were originally awarded, or nothing at all. However, many people have their original decision overturned. We recommend that you get help from us if you’re about to challenge a decision. Try to get in touch straight away – you might have to wait for an appointment and you only have a month to send your letter in.

First step – ask the DWP to revise their decision

The first step in the appeal process is to ask DWP to change their decision. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’. If you ask for mandatory reconsideration, the DWP has to look at your claim again and give you a formal response. The best way to ask for mandatory reconsideration is to use the CRMR1 mandatory reconsideration request form on GOV.UK, or write a letter to the DWP explaining why you disagree with their decision. The address you need will be on your DLA decision letter. You need to make sure that the DWP gets your request for mandatory reconsideration within 1 month of the decision date. If there’s a risk that the letter won’t reach the DWP in time, you should ring the DLA helpline and tell them. If you’ve missed the 1 month deadline it’s still worth sending your mandatory reconsideration. You’ll need to do this within 13 months of the decision. You can also call the DLA helpline to ask for mandatory reconsideration. If you do this we recommend that you have everything in writing in case you need written proof later on. If you prefer to call, you should still write a letter to the DWP summarising what you talked about over the phone.

If you’ve missed the deadline

If you’ve missed the 1 month deadline, you can still ask for mandatory reconsideration, as long as it’s within 13 months of the decision. You’ll need to explain your reasons for being late – for example if being ill or dealing with difficult personal circumstances meant you couldn’t apply in time. Explain in the form or letter why your application is late, as well as why you disagree with their decision. The DWP can refuse your application if it’s late, but as long as you applied within 13 months you can still appeal the decision at a tribunal. Contact us if your application is rejected because of lateness.

What to put in the form or your letter

You need to write the reasons specific to your child’s claim and why you disagree with the decision. Look at your decision letter. It will say how the DWP has decided on your application. Make a note of the statements you disagree with and why. In your reconsideration letter, give facts, examples and medical evidence (if available) to support what you’re saying. One way to be clear about what you disagree with is to use the same words that they use in the decision. Below is an example of what a reconsideration request letter might say. Every reconsideration request letter will be different – yours needs to contain examples that are specific to your child’s needs as a unique individual. Example “Your letter says I’m not entitled to DLA because my child doesn’t need continual supervision to avoid substantial danger to himself or others. This is incorrect. When my child is at home I have to be in the same room with him at all times because he can hurt himself when I’m not there to watch him. He often throws fits – in the past he has knocked heavy things off shelves and hit his head on furniture. This could injure him or others. He needs continual supervision to avoid danger to himself.” Contact us if your application is rejected because of lateness.

What happens next

The DWP doesn’t have to make a decision on your mandatory reconsideration within a specific timescale – sometimes it can take several months to get your decision letter. This letter is called a ‘mandatory reconsideration notice’ – you’ll be sent 2 copies. If the DWP change their decision, you’ll start getting your DLA payment straight away. Your payment will be backdated. If the decision was about a new claim, they’ll backdate your DLA to the date you made the claim. If the decision was about an ongoing claim, they’ll backdate your DLA to the date it was stopped or reduced. Don’t be put off if they don’t change the decision if it’s not in your favour. More decisions are changed after the next stage.

Next steps

If the DWP doesn’t change their decision you can appeal to a tribunal – check how to start your appeal.