According to official figures by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) between April and June 2022 the number of social security appeal numbers against decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) sat at 35,000. This was an increase of 81 percent compared to the same period in 2021. The DWP stated that this was driven by appeals against decisions for PIP and for Universal Credit, with PIP accounting for nearly three-quarters of appeals.
PIP saw a dramatic increase of 111 percent whilst appeals against decisions for Universal Credit rose by 76 percent.
The number of cases completed fell from 28,000 last year to around 23,000 with PIP cases making up nearly two-thirds of the cases which were closed.
The DWP stated that the decrease in closed cases was “mostly driven” by a fall of 21 percent in the number of PIP cases completed.
The success figures for the appeals have remained “mostly steady” with 71 percent of PIP claimants winning their case against the DWP.
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Around 66 percent of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claims were successful and nearly two thirds, 58 percent, of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) were also victorious.
According to the official DWP figures, cases are currently taking an average of 25 weeks to be completed.
The DWP states this is 14 weeks less than for the same period last year, and around five weeks less than in 2019.
According to the figures, the number of outstanding Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) appeal cases at the end of June sat around 59,000.
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People are able to appeal any decision that is made about their claim and according to Citizens Advice, the most common appeal reasons for PIP are that a person was denied PIP, they received a lower level than they expected, and the PIP award needs to be provided for longer.
To be allowed to appeal to a tribunal, people will need a letter from the DWP which has the words “‘Mandatory Reconsideration Notice” written at the top.
They will also need to send their appeal form within one month of the date shown on the mandatory reconsideration notice letter.
People are able to begin their appeal process by completing an online appeal form on GOV.UK or by filling in a form called “SSCS1” on the Government website, then printing it and posting it to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
Citizens Advice warned that the appeal process can take a long time and how long will vary depending on where a person lives.
The organisation said: “The process can be draining but it’s worth remembering that more than half of people who appeal their PIP decision win at a tribunal.
“If you feel the decision is wrong, don’t be put off appealing.”
Citizens Advice offers people support with their appeal against the DWP and they might be able to provide someone with an advisor or a solicitor to act as a person’s representative during the appeal.
However, Citizens Advice states this type of support is “not always available”.
Citizens Advice added: “Don’t worry if you don’t have a representative – the tribunal board is most interested in hearing how your condition affects you and in your own words. Support from a friend or family member can really help, and you can do it without a professional.”
Of the 4.9 million initial PIP decisions made following an assessment, at March 2022, nine percent have been appealed and five percent overturned at a tribunal hearing.
In order to ensure the right decision is made as early as possible, the DWP has introduced a new approach to decision-making at both the first decision and the Mandatory Reconsideration stage, giving decision makers additional time to contact customers to get further information to support their claims.
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