The Short Answer
A PIP tribunal is heard by a judge and one or two experts who are independent of the DWP. GOV.UK states that the panel is impartial and independent of government. You choose when you appeal whether to attend; if you do not, the appeal is decided on your papers alone. The decision arrives by post, and often on the day where you attend. Reasonable expenses for attending are reimbursed.
Who Decides the Appeal
A judge and one or two experts, none of them from the DWP. GOV.UK describes the composition directly: "A judge and one or two experts will make a decision about the case. Who the experts are depends on what benefit you're appealing. The judge and experts are impartial and independent of government."
For PIP the panel normally includes a medical member and a member with experience of disability. The tribunal must follow the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008.
The DWP may also attend. GOV.UK notes that the department "may ask questions, but they're not part of the tribunal and do not decide the result of the appeal". In practice a presenting officer often does not attend at all.
Attending or Not
You choose when you submit the appeal, and the choice affects how the case is decided. GOV.UK is explicit about the consequence: "If you do not attend, your appeal will be decided on your appeal form and any supporting evidence you provide."
Attending gives the panel the opportunity to ask about the activities directly, which is where a written form is often thin. It also lets you correct anything in the assessment report that does not match your account.
Support is available and should be requested when you appeal. GOV.UK lists an interpreter, a hearing loop and an accessible tribunal room among the adjustments, and notes that you cannot use your own interpreter during the hearing.
What Happens on the Day
Questions about the twelve activities, asked by the judge and the experts. The hearing is not a trial and there is no cross-examination by an opponent.
The panel will already have read the appeal papers, the assessment report and the DWP's response. Their questions test the descriptors: what you can do, how often, what help is involved, and how long tasks take. What is typically asked is set out on the PIP Tribunal Questions and Answers page.
Evidence should be sent as early as possible. GOV.UK warns that an appeal "might be delayed" unless evidence is sent as soon as you can before the hearing, you arrive on time, and any representative is registered promptly.
Claiming Expenses
Reasonable expenses for attending are reimbursed, and the clerk helps with the form. GOV.UK publishes the rates.
| Expense | Rate |
|---|---|
| Public transport | The fare paid |
| Driving | 45p per mile, plus 5p per mile for up to 2 passengers |
| Meals, away more than 5 hours | £4.25 |
| Meals, away more than 10 hours | £9.30 |
| Meals, away more than 12 hours | £13.55 |
| Loss of earnings, up to 4 hours | £43.10 |
| Loss of earnings, 4 hours or more | £83.83 |
| Care expenses | Up to the National Minimum Wage |
Last checked: 7 August 2026
Bank details and proof — receipts, or a letter from an employer for loss of earnings — are needed. GOV.UK states that expenses "are paid as soon as possible after the hearing".
How the Decision Arrives
By post after the hearing, and often on the day where you attend. GOV.UK states both: "You'll get the decision by post after the hearing. You may get a decision on the day if you go to the hearing."
A decision given on the day is a decision notice rather than full reasons. Where you want the reasoning, ask the tribunal for a statement of reasons within one month of the decision date — that request is also the first step toward any Upper Tribunal appeal.
An audio recording of the hearing can be requested free of charge within 18 months.
After the Decision
A successful appeal is backdated to the original decision date. Every week of the challenge is paid as arrears, and Citizens Advice puts the normal wait for that money at 4 to 6 weeks after the tribunal decision.
Last checked: 7 August 2026
The reason for the wait is mechanical: the decision travels from the courts service to the DWP, which then recalculates and pays. The back payment timing page sets out the sequence. The whole route with its deadlines is on the check challenging decisions page.
Where the tribunal does not find in your favour, the route narrows to a point of law and the first step is a one-month deadline. That is set out on If You Lose Your PIP Tribunal.
Related guidance: After Winning a PIP Tribunal.