Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department operates a limit on the time (a) taken for mandatory reconsiderations and (b) between the conclusion of a mandatory reconsideration and the opening of a tribunal.

There is no prescribed time limit for clearing Mandatory Reconsiderations; the Department’s focus is on making a decision as soon as we are able to. Timings can vary depending on a number of reasons including engagement with claimants and the availability of evidence.

Claimants have one month to appeal their Mandatory Reconsideration decision. If an appeal is made the Secretary of State must provide her appeal response to the Tribunals Service within 28 days. The appeal will then be listed for hearing by the Tribunals Service.