PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Social Security Benefits: Appeals (25 February 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to improve the mandatory reconsideration process to reduce the number of (a) disabled and (b) unwell benefits claimants who appeal to the First Tier Tribunal.

Asked by:
Apsana Begum (Independent)

Last year we implemented a new approach to handling applications for Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) in PIP which includes contacting claimants, where appropriate, to see if there is information that would enable us to change the decision. To support this, we are investing additional time for communication, evidence gather and review. This approach supports our aim - to make the right decision as early as possible - so claimants don’t need to progress to the appeal stage. Early results have been positive and the same approach has now been adopted in ESA and UC. We continue to engage with stakeholders to explore how we can further improve the effectiveness of the MR process.

Answered by:
Justin Tomlinson (Conservative)
3 March 2020