How Long Does a PIP Appeal Take? 2026 Timeline & Stats

But those are just the headline numbers. The actual timescale depends on where you live, how complex your case is, and whether you can get your evidence together quickly. Below, we’ll walk through every stage — with real timeframes, current statistics, and practical advice to help you plan ahead.

Understanding the PIP Appeal Timeline in 2026

Before we get into the detail, here’s something that trips people up: you can’t go straight to a tribunal. The DWP requires you to go through a mandatory reconsideration first. Only after that — and only if you’re still unhappy — can you appeal to the independent tribunal, run by His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).

So the process has distinct stages, each with its own waiting time. In our experience helping hundreds of PIP claimants through appeals, the timeline below reflects what people actually experience — not just what the DWP says should happen. Here’s what the full timeline looks like:

PIP Appeal Timeline Table

That table shows the typical experience. But let’s break each stage down properly.

For the full process in detail, see our Complete PIP Appeal Guide.

Stage 1: How Long Does a Mandatory Reconsideration Take?

A mandatory reconsideration (MR) is when you ask the DWP to look at your PIP decision again. A different decision-maker reviews your case — though they work for the same department, which is worth knowing.

The DWP says it aims to complete MRs within 2 weeks. In reality? It usually takes much longer. Most people wait somewhere between 2 and 10 weeks for a response, and some wait even longer than that.

How to request one

You need to contact the DWP within one month of the date on your decision letter. You can do this by phone (the PIP enquiry line is 0800 121 4433) or in writing. We’d always recommend putting your reasons in writing — even if you phone first — because it creates a paper trail.

Only around 20–25% of mandatory reconsiderations result in the DWP changing their decision (source: DWP PIP Official Statistics). That sounds discouraging. But don’t lose heart — the real wins come at tribunal stage.

Stage 2: Submitting Your Appeal to the Tribunal

Once you receive your Mandatory Reconsideration Notice (MRN) — and assuming the DWP hasn’t changed their decision in your favour — you can appeal to the independent tribunal.

Step-by-step process to submit your appeal

1. Get your MRN — This is the letter confirming the DWP’s MR decision. You’ll need it to appeal.
2. Complete the SSCS1 form — This is the official appeal form. You can download it from GOV.UK or request a paper copy.
3. Write your appeal reasons — Explain why you disagree with the decision. Be specific about which PIP descriptors you think are wrong and why.
4. Gather supporting evidence — Medical letters, care plans, prescription lists, anything that supports your case.
5. Submit within one month — You have one calendar month from the date on your MRN to get your appeal form submitted to HMCTS. (You can apply for a late appeal up to 13 months later, but you’ll need a good reason for the delay.)
6. Send to HMCTS — Post your completed SSCS1 to the address on the form, or submit online via GOV.UK.

Stage 3: PIP Tribunal Waiting Times in 2026

This is the stage everyone dreads — and for good reason. It’s the longest wait in the whole process.

After HMCTS receives your appeal, they send a copy to the DWP, who then prepare their response. Once that’s done, your case joins the queue for listing (being assigned a hearing date). And that queue? It’s long.

Current average waiting time from appeal submission to tribunal hearing: approximately 6 to 9 months. Some areas are quicker, others slower. London and the South East tend to have longer waits due to higher case volumes. Rural areas sometimes move faster — but not always.

The backlog is significant. HMCTS has had over 80,000 Social Security and Child Support tribunal cases outstanding at various points in recent years (source: HMCTS Tribunal Statistics Quarterly, GOV.UK). PIP appeals make up the largest share of that workload.

Estimated waiting times by region

Regional data from HMCTS isn’t always published in granular detail, but based on reported experiences and available statistics, here’s a rough guide:

These are approximate estimates compiled from reported claimant experiences and publicly available HMCTS data. HMCTS does not publish a detailed regional breakdown of PIP tribunal waiting times. Your actual wait may be shorter or longer depending on local caseloads.

How to check the status of your appeal

You can track your appeal by contacting HMCTS directly. Phone the Social Security and Child Support tribunal enquiry line or check online through the GOV.UK appeal tracking page. Keep your appeal reference number handy.

Can You Speed Up a PIP Appeal Hearing?

Sometimes, yes. It’s called requesting an expedited hearing, and it’s worth knowing about — even though it doesn’t always work.

You can ask HMCTS to fast-track your hearing if you’re experiencing severe financial hardship or if there are urgent medical reasons. There’s no special form for this. You write directly to the tribunal explaining your circumstances and asking them to prioritise your case.

What counts as grounds for an expedited hearing?

There’s no fixed definition, but the tribunal is more likely to agree if you can show:

• You’re at risk of losing your home due to the financial impact of losing PIP
• You have a terminal or rapidly deteriorating condition
• You’re unable to meet basic living costs (food, heating) without PIP income
• You have dependent children who are directly affected

Include evidence where you can — a letter from your housing association, a GP letter confirming your condition, bank statements showing financial hardship. The more concrete, the better.

What to Expect at the Tribunal Hearing

The hearing itself is less scary than most people expect. Genuinely.

You’ll sit in front of a panel — usually a judge (legally qualified), a medical professional (doctor or nurse), and sometimes a disability-qualified member. They’re independent. They don’t work for the DWP, and their job is to make a fresh decision based on the evidence.

The hearing typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. It might be in person at a tribunal venue, by video call, or by telephone. You can request your preferred format, though the tribunal makes the final decision.

Here’s something that reassures a lot of people: the panel will ask you questions about how your conditions affect your daily life. They’re not trying to catch you out. They want to understand your situation. You can bring a friend, family member, or support worker with you (and we’d recommend it).

For more on preparing for assessments and hearings, see our PIP Assessment Survival Guide.

What Happens After the Tribunal Decision

Most panels give their decision on the day, either verbally or in a short written notice. Sometimes it’s posted within a few days. So what happens next?

If you win your PIP appeal

Good news. The DWP must carry out the tribunal’s decision. Your PIP award will be backdated to the date of your original claim or the date of the decision you challenged. That backpayment typically arrives within 4 to 6 weeks of the tribunal decision.

Your ongoing PIP payments will also restart (or increase, depending on the decision) from the next regular payment date.

If you lose your PIP appeal

This is tough. But you still have options.

You can request a “statement of reasons” from the tribunal within one month — this explains why they decided as they did. If you believe the tribunal made a legal error (not just that you disagree with the outcome), you can apply for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal. This is a more complex process and relates to points of law, not a fresh look at the facts.

Alternatively, you can make a new PIP claim if your circumstances have changed or you have new evidence.

For guidance on strengthening your evidence, see our PIP Appeal Evidence Guide.

PIP Appeal Success Rates and Statistics

Here’s the number that matters most: around 73% of PIP appeals that reach a tribunal hearing are decided in the claimant’s favour (source: HMCTS Tribunal Statistics, GOV.UK).

Read that again. Nearly three quarters of people who go to tribunal win.

That’s a remarkable figure, and it tells you something about the quality of initial DWP decision-making. It also means that if you’re thinking about giving up — don’t. The odds are genuinely in your favour at tribunal.

Some other statistics worth knowing:

• Only about 20–25% of mandatory reconsiderations result in a changed decision (source: DWP PIP Official Statistics)
• PIP appeals make up the single largest category of tribunal cases at HMCTS
• You need 8 points for the standard rate and 12 points for the enhanced rate of each PIP component (Daily Living and Mobility)

For a full breakdown of how PIP points and descriptors work, see our PIP Descriptors and Points Guide.

Surviving Financially While You Wait

This is the gap nobody talks about enough. Eight to twelve months is a long time to wait — especially when you’ve lost income you were relying on.

Here are some practical steps to consider while your appeal is in progress:

Benefits you may be entitled to during the wait

You can still claim other benefits while your PIP appeal is ongoing. PIP isn’t means-tested, and claiming (or losing) PIP doesn’t necessarily stop other benefits. Check whether you’re eligible for Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Council Tax Reduction, or Housing Benefit. If you previously received the PIP enhanced mobility rate, losing it may affect your Motability vehicle — speak to Motability directly about their transition support.

Emergency support options

If you’re in immediate financial difficulty, your local council may offer a discretionary welfare payment or crisis fund. Charities like Turn2us have a grants search tool that can find one-off financial help. Your local Citizens Advice bureau can also do a full benefits check to make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to.

Budgeting for the wait

Contact your energy supplier, mortgage provider, or landlord early if you’re worried about payments. Many have hardship schemes, and they’re more likely to help if you approach them before you fall behind.

Your PIP Appeal Timeline Checklist

Use this to track where you are in the process:

• Received PIP decision letter — Note the date. You have one month to act.
• Requested mandatory reconsideration — In writing, with reasons and any new evidence.
• Received MR decision (MRN) — Note the date. You have one month to appeal.
• Completed and submitted SSCS1 form — With supporting evidence attached.
• Received HMCTS acknowledgement — Keep the reference number safe.
• DWP response received — HMCTS will send you a copy.
• Hearing date received — Note the date, time, and venue (or video/phone details).
• Prepared for hearing — Organised evidence, arranged a companion, planned travel.
• Attended hearing — Claimed travel expenses.
• Received decision — If successful, expect backpayment within 4–6 weeks.