Appeals process changes

The DWP is currently in the process of revising its appeals process for the benefits it administers and for child maintenance cases. The revised approach, which began in April 2013, focuses on:

• preventing disputes;

• reducing the escalation of disputes;

• resolving disputes; and

• learning from disputes.

The following changes have been introduced:

• Mandatory reconsideration: When a person receives a decision from DWP that they dispute, they must request that the Department conducts a mandatory reconsideration before being allowed to lodge an appeal. This reform aims to resolve more disputes at an earlier stage.

• Direct lodgement: People who want to appeal after mandatory reconsideration must send their appeal directly to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). This change aligns the appeals process for the Social Security and child maintenance jurisdiction with the other major tribunal jurisdictions within HMCTS.

• Time limits: The introduction of time limits for the DWP to return responses to HMCTS will give it 28 calendar days to provide an appeal response in benefits cases, and 42 calendar days in child maintenance cases. This change will take place from October 2014.