PIP Denied? Here's Exactly What to Do Next (2026 Guide)
By the RightfulUK team • • 4 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
You opened the letter. Your heart sank. PIP denied, or maybe you got fewer points than you expected.
First: breathe. You're not alone, and this isn't the end.
73% of PIP appeals succeed at tribunal. The DWP gets it wrong more often than they get it right.
Don't Panic, You Have Options
A denial doesn't mean you don't deserve PIP. It often means:
- The assessor didn't understand your condition - Your form didn't use the right language - Evidence was overlooked or ignored - The 'reliability' test wasn't applied properly
You have one month from the decision date to challenge it. That's your deadline for Mandatory Reconsideration.
Step 1: Request the Assessment Report
Call the PIP enquiry line (0800 121 4433) and ask for:
- Your assessment report (what the assessor wrote) - Written reasons for the decision
This is free and they must provide it. You need this to see exactly what went wrong.
Step 2: Compare What They Said vs Reality
Go through the assessment report line by line. Look for:
- Factual errors, did they say you can walk 200m when you said 50m? - Missing information, did they ignore your evidence? - Things you didn't say, did they put words in your mouth?
Write down every mistake. These become your appeal points.
Step 3: Request Mandatory Reconsideration
Write to DWP within one month asking them to look again. Your letter should:
- State which activities you're challenging - Explain why you deserve more points - Reference the reliability test (can you do it safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard, in reasonable time?) - Include any new evidence
Don't just say "I disagree." Explain WHY, using their own criteria.
Step 4: If MR Fails, Go to Tribunal
Most MRs fail. That's okay, tribunal is where decisions get overturned.
- It's free - It's independent (not the DWP) - Success rate: 73% - You can bring someone for support
The tribunal panel actually listens. Many people say it's less stressful than dealing with the DWP.
You've Got This
Being denied is crushing. But the statistics are on your side. The DWP's own data shows they make the wrong call more often than not.
You deserve this support. Don't give up.
Related Articles
- How to Write a PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Letter That Works — 6 min read
- Got 0 Points on PIP? Here's What Went Wrong (And How to Fix It) — 4 min read
- Helping Someone with Their PIP Appeal: A Guide for Family and Friends — 5 min read
- From 0 Points to Enhanced Rate: Sarah's Fibromyalgia PIP Appeal — 4 min read
Related Tools & Guides
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your likely points
- Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge the DWP decision
- Tribunal Preparation Tool — practice panel questions
- PIP Condition Guides — descriptors for your condition