DLA Mandatory Reconsideration Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to challenge a refused or reduced DLA decision for your child, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong dla mandatory reconsideration should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• Request mandatory reconsideration of the DLA decision
• Describe the child's condition and how it affects them
• Identify which care and mobility needs were underestimated
• Describe the level of care and supervision needed both day and night
• Reference any medical evidence

What a mandatory reconsideration actually does

Before you can appeal a DLA decision for your child to a tribunal, you must first request a mandatory reconsideration — this asks the DWP to look at the decision again, and can result in the original decision being changed without needing to go through a full appeal at all. It's a genuinely useful first step, not just a bureaucratic hurdle.

What to include before you send it

• The decision reference and the date it was made
• Why you believe the decision doesn't reflect your child's actual care and mobility needs
• Any additional evidence not previously considered — medical letters, school reports, or specialist assessments
• Specific, concrete examples of the day-to-day support your child needs

Why specific examples matter more than general statements

Decision-makers respond to concrete, dated examples far more than general descriptions — "requires help washing and dressing every morning due to limited mobility" is much stronger evidence than "needs a lot of help." If your child's needs vary, explain this variation clearly too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a time limit for requesting a mandatory reconsideration?
Yes — you generally need to request this within one month of the decision date, though late requests can sometimes be accepted with a good reason.

What happens if the reconsideration doesn't change the decision?
You'll receive a "mandatory reconsideration notice," and you can then appeal to an independent tribunal if you still disagree with the outcome.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Disability Benefits Centre - address on your decision letter]
[Postcode]
[Date]

Dear Decision Maker,

Subject: Mandatory reconsideration of DLA decision – [Child's Full Name], date of birth [Date] – Reference: [reference on the decision letter, or your National Insurance number]

I am asking for a mandatory reconsideration of the Disability Living Allowance decision dated [Date] for my child, [Child's Name].

[Child's Name] has [condition(s)]. Because of this, they need much more care and supervision than other children of the same age. The decision underestimates their [care / mobility / care and mobility] needs.

Care needs in the day: [e.g. they need constant supervision because they have no sense of danger, and help with dressing, eating and toileting.]

Care needs at night: [e.g. they wake 3 or 4 times every night, distressed, and need 30 minutes of comfort each time.]

Mobility needs: [e.g. they cannot walk more than 50 metres without severe pain / they need someone with them outdoors because they run into the road.]

I enclose:
• [e.g. a letter from the paediatrician dated [date]]
• [e.g. my child's EHC plan]

Please change the decision to reflect these needs.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]