Barriers to the Benefits System

Navigating the UK benefits system as a disabled person is rarely straightforward.

Whether you’re applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC), Carer’s Allowance, or another form of support —the process can be overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally draining.

We’re here to help break down the barriers in the way.

Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) and Appeals

Lack of Clarity

Applies to:

Everyone — this is a systemic barrier.

The barrier:

When a claim is refused, the decision letter often gives little to no meaningful explanation—just a vague statement that the DWP disagreed with the claimant.

These letters are often copy-pasted phrases and generic justifications, which don’t clearly explain why the claim was denied. Many don’t receive their full assessment report unless they know to ask for it.

This leaves people confused, powerless and overwhelmed on what to challenge – and how to respond.

How we help:

Breaking down any decision letters in plain language —explaining the DWP’s reasoning.
Assisting you to access the full assessment report and interpret its contents.
Providing summaries of key arguments and contradictions in the DWP’s reports.
Drafting strong and personalised MR requests that address the DWP’s reasoning and errors.
We work with you to gather new, targeted evidence to back your appeal.

Deadlines and Time Constraints

May apply to those who:

Living with fluctuating or non-visible disabilities
Have a chronic illness
Have anxiety or depression
Are neurodivergent
Mask or minimise their difficulties.
Have experienced trauma

The barrier:

The standard deadline is only one month. This can feel impossible to meet when someone is trying to manage complex health needs. The pressure is made worse when someone is in a flare-up or grieving.

Some may not have support from social care, advocacy services, or family. Others struggle with executive dysfunction, fatigue, or low mood, which make tasks like filling in forms, finding evidence, or calling the DWP particularly difficult.

Tribunal hearing dates may take months to arrive yet are given with very little notice. This creates more barriers for people who need time to prepare, access support, or adjust care hours to attend.

Many people miss deadlines not out of neglect, but because the system isn’t built to accommodate the realities of living with a disability.

How we help:

Help you request extensions to complete necessary forms
We support you in submitting a late request and evidence for MR and appeal requests.
If your letter arrived late, we guide you in informing the DWP, so that your timeline is taken into account and a late MR or appeal is more likely to be accepted.
Offer rapid turnaround support when needed for appealing and preparing for tribunals.

Tribunal Hearings

This applies to those who:

Have a mental health condition
Have verbal communication and language barriers
Are neurodivergent
Are deaf or deafblind
Have no support system
have had negative experiences with medical professionals.

The barrier:

The idea of attending a tribunal can be very intimidating. This can feel especially frightening for those who have already had to fight to be heard or believed by medical professionals.

Even when someone has a strong case, fear of being disbelieved, judged, or “interrogated” can lead them to give up appealing entirely.

For many, the thought of facing a panel of strangers triggers anxiety, panic, or retraumatisation. There may also be practical worries: not knowing what to say, how to answer questions, or how to dress.

How we help:

We walk through exactly what a tribunal is, what will happen and who will be present.
Provide representation and coordinate additional support from a trusted person.
Ensure access needs are met, including interpreter provision.
Build up confidence to reduce anxiety around the hearing.
On your behalf, we prepare and send a clear written submission.
Prepare you emotionally and practically for any outcome.