How to Appeal if Your Attendance Allowance Was Denied

Mandatory Reconsideration: How to Appeal a Denied Claim

Don't give up. Nearly 70% of decisions are overturned at the tribunal stage. Here is your action plan.

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Strict Deadline: 1 Month from Decision Date

Why Was I Rejected?

Receiving a rejection letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is disheartening, but it is very common. The most frequent reason for refusal is not that you are "healthy," but that the form did not contain enough detail.

Decision makers are not medical experts. They rely 100% on what is written on the page. If you wrote "I have arthritis" but did not explain how it stops you from putting on socks or cooking safely, the claim will fail.

Stage 1: The Decision Letter You receive a letter saying "No". Check the date on the top immediately. You have exactly one month to act. REJECTED

Stage 2: Mandatory Reconsideration You ask the DWP to look at the decision again. You can do this by phone or using form CRMR1. ACTION REQUIRED

Stage 3: Appeal to Tribunal If they say "No" again, you appeal to an independent panel. This is where most people win. BEST CHANCE

Step 1: Ask for a "Mandatory Reconsideration"

Before you can go to court (Tribunal), you must ask the DWP to check their own homework. This is called Mandatory Reconsideration.

How to do it:

Write or Call: You can call the number on your decision letter, but writing is better. Use Form CRMR1 or send a detailed letter.
The "Statement of Reasons": Ask for a "Written Statement of Reasons" if your rejection letter was vague. This tells you exactly why they said no, so you can argue against it.
New Evidence: Did you forget to mention your falls? Did your GP write a support letter? Send it now.

Step 2: The Independent Tribunal

If the Mandatory Reconsideration is also rejected (which happens often), do not stop. You now have the right to appeal to an independent tribunal.

The panel usually consists of a judge, a doctor, and a disability expert. They are independent of the DWP. Statistics show that the majority of appeals at this stage are successful because the panel actually listens to you and sees your condition in person (or via video link).

Is there a cost to appeal?

No. Both Mandatory Reconsideration and the Tribunal process are free. You do not need a lawyer, though getting help from Citizens Advice is recommended.

Will I get backpay if I win?

Yes! If the tribunal overturns the decision, the DWP must pay you all the money backdated to the date of your original application. This can often be a lump sum of thousands of pounds.

I missed the 1-month deadline.

You can still appeal up to 13 months later if you have a "good reason" for the delay (e.g., you were in hospital, bereavement, or you were too ill to deal with the post). Explain this clearly in your request.

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Professional Disclaimer: We are an independent guide. We cannot influence DWP decisions. Deadlines for appeals are strict legal requirements. If you are unsure about the process, please contact a welfare rights advisor or Citizens Advice immediately.