DWP issues warning over 20 benefits and says 'you have one month to challenge decision'

DWP issues warning over 20 benefits and says 'you have one month to challenge'
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The Department for Work and Pensions has encouraged anyone who was turned down for benefits to try again - because they could yet receive them. The DWP says there are three main reasons to come forward to try and re-apply for benefits after a rejection.

If you disagree with a decision about benefits, tax credits or child maintenance you can ask for the decision to be looked at again. Under the mandatory reconsideration process, the DWP will review your claim and make a fresh decision.

You can only ask for mandatory reconsideration if you believe there was an error or the department overlooked crucial evidence, you disagree with the reasons given for the decision or you want the decision to be reviewed again.

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You usually need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date of the decision. You can ask for it after one month if you have a good reason, for example if you’ve been in hospital or had a bereavement.

You can ask for mandatory reconsideration for benefits including Attendance Allowance, Bereavement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Credit and child maintenance (sometimes known as ‘child support’), as well as Compensation Recovery Scheme (including NHS recovery claims), Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

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Other benefits listed include Funeral Expenses Payment and Income Support as well as Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Maternity Allowance, National Insurance credits and Pension Credit.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Sure Start Maternity Grant, Universal Credit (including advance payments) and Winter Fuel Payment complete the list. There are different processes to challenge decisions about Budgeting Loans and Child Benefit as well as Guardian’s Allowance, the DWP says.

There are also different ways to challenge Housing Benefit, Social Security Scotland benefits, tax credits , Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare and Vaccine Damage Payment decisions.