Challenging a Universal Credit decision - mandatory reconsideration

If you disagree with the decision about your Universal Credit claim, you can ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to change it. You’ll need to ask for ‘mandatory reconsideration’ - this means the DWP will look at the decision again.

You can challenge a decision about a new Universal Credit claim, or an existing claim. For example, you can challenge:

• a decision to refuse or stop your Universal Credit

• the amount the DWP said you’ll get

You can also ask for a mandatory reconsideration about support for mortgage interest (SMI). SMI is a loan to help pay the interest on your mortgage if you get Universal Credit.

You should ask for a mandatory reconsideration within 1 month of the date of the DWP's decision.

Asking for a mandatory reconsideration

When you ask for the mandatory reconsideration you’ll need to include:

• the date of the decision

• specific reasons why you disagree

• your name, address and National Insurance number

There are 4 ways you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration. You can:

• write a message in your Universal Credit online account, if you have one

• fill in a CRMR1 mandatory reconsideration request form on GOV.UK - if you print it out, send it to the address on the top of your decision letter

• write a letter to the DWP - send it to the address on the decision letter

• call the number on the decision letter if you’re near the deadline - you should write to the DWP after you call saying why you want a mandatory reconsideration

If you’re writing a letter

Check your decision letter for the address you need to send your letter to. This is different depending on where you live. If you can’t find your decision letter or there's no address on it, contact the DWP to get the address. You should:

• write a message in your online journal

• call the Universal Credit helpline if you don’t have an online account

Ask the Post Office for free proof of postage - you might need to show when you sent your letter.

Check how long you have to ask for a mandatory reconsideration

Your benefit decision letter must tell you how long you have to ask for the decision to be looked at again.

You should try to ask for a mandatory reconsideration within 1 month.

If you miss the 1-month deadline

You can still ask for a mandatory reconsideration. You should do this within 13 months of the original decision.

You’ll need to give a good reason for why you couldn’t ask within the 1 month deadline - for example because you were seriously ill or you split up from your partner.

You need to explain to the DWP:

• why you missed the deadline

• why the decision is wrong

• why it’s important they change the decision

If you got a decision more than 13 months ago

It might still be worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration. The DWP can change the decision if you can show they made a mistake, such as:

• they got the law wrong

• they made a mistake when calculating your Universal Credit

• they overlooked a piece of evidence you sent them

The DWP won't change their decision if you gave them the wrong information or sent them the wrong documents.

If you've missed the 13-month deadline you can read more about asking for a mandatory reconsideration.

Check what happens when the decision is reconsidered

There's no limit on the amount of time it will take the DWP to reconsider the decision.

If the DWP change their decision, this is called ‘revision’. You'll get any benefit you're owed backdated.

If the DWP don't change their decision, you can take your challenge to an independent tribunal. You can also do this if they won’t let you make a late mandatory reconsideration request.

The tribunal will look at your arguments and make a decision. They’re overseen by a judge and separate from the DWP.