HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has begun the full roll out in England and Wales of the online service for appeals against decisions on personal independence payments (PIP).
This follows a trial in which more than 2,600 applications have been received, with the number of appeals rejected because of errors in paperwork by appellants falling by 45%.
HMCTS said the trial received positive feedback from users, and that the service has enabled people waiting for a decision to track the progress of their case.
London region Tribunal Judge Jeremy Bennett, social security and child support (SSCS), said: “Those that have so far appealed online seem to find the system straightforward. The information provided on the online appeal form seems to be of a standard that allows judges to progress the appeals.
“The challenge is to find ways to make the online appeal form accessible to as many appellants as possible and to make it the appeal route of choice for SSCS appellants.”
HMCTS has worked on the project with the judiciary, members of the public and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The service is part of the £1 billion reform programme for the courts service.
