7. Challenging a hardship payment decision
If you are refused hardship payments, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration
of the decision, and then appeal if you remain unhappy with the outcome
(see Chapter
57). When (or before) you make a mandatory reconsideration request, ask for a written statement of reasons for the decision if this has not already been provided (see
here).
Remember to tell the DWP if your circumstances worsen while you are applying for a mandatory reconsideration or appealing. Ask it to consider whether hardship payments can now be paid based on your new circumstances.
If you are unhappy with a decision about the recovery of a universal credit hardship payment, see
here.