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Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Asked by Ben ColemanLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 25223

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made of the impact of Mandatory Reconsideration delays on claimants' financial wellbeing and mental health.

Answered by Department for Work and Pensions

Mandatory Reconsiderations (MR) offer claimants the opportunity to challenge decisions and provide additional information which may be relevant to their claim. We recognise that waiting for outcomes can be challenging for claimants.

Entitlement is usually from the date of claim, so if a decision is changed at MR, the amount awarded will be the same as if it were awarded at the initial decision stage. Arrears are paid as a lump sum, although payment can be staggered if that is the claimant’s preference.

We are allocating more decision makers to MRs to ensure decisions are made in as timely manner as possible.

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