Latest figures have revealed that approximately 628,000 individuals receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabilities and long-term physical and mental health conditions have had their claims halted. Over the same period, another 300,000 have seen their benefits reduced.
The Department for Work and Pensions reviews all PIP claims after a predetermined time set at the approval of each application. Unscheduled reviews can also occur if there is a reported change in circumstances, typically when health deteriorates due to an existing disability or a new medical issue arises.
Currently, around 3.6 million people in Britain are receiving PIP from the DWP, with awards approved for a set period – ranging from nine months to 10 years – before a review is carried out to determine whether it will stop, reduce, increase or continue at the same level. Those in Scotland are transitioning to a devolved Adult Disability Payment instead.
DWP statistics indicate that during the eight years from June 2016, 628,000 claims were stopped following an end-of-award review or change-of-circumstances review. For those whose claims were up for review after a fixed term, 277,000 claimants lost their PIP after a new assessment and 35,000 were informed their PIP was being cancelled because they failed to attend the appointment.
An additional 250,000 people had their PIP stopped based on the forms they completed, without being asked to attend a new health assessment, reports Birmingham Live.
Furthermore, 264,000 claimants experienced a reduction in their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) following a review, while just over 500,000 received an increased amount and nearly 1.4 million maintained the same level of PIP. In October 2024 alone – the most recent month for which data is available – over 5,250 individuals had their PIP discontinued after a review of their claim, and 1,796 saw their payments reduced, while almost 5,600 were informed they would receive a higher amount and 34,000 people experienced no change in their award.
If a claimant reports a change in their circumstances, a separate review is arranged, which involves reassessing the entire PIP claim, although this does not necessarily lead to an increase in payment levels. Over the past eight years, more than 66,000 claimants who reported such changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have had their PIP claim completely stopped, including 52,000 who failed their assessment, 4,000 who did not attend it, and 10,000 whose PIP was cancelled based solely on paperwork.
During the same period, 35,000 people who informed the DWP of a change in their circumstances received a lower payment level, 325,000 were awarded a higher rate, and 261,000 were told their payment would remain the same.
During the latest month on record, October 2024, the majority of claimants who reported a change remained on the same benefit rate (6,635 individuals), while close to 5,000 received an increased payment. Conversely, 227 beneficiaries experienced a reduction in their monetary support, and nearly 500 were informed that their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was being terminated.
The reassessment procedures have been criticised for being “dehumanising” and “distressing”, prompting demands for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to initiate changes. Activists are adamant about abolishing “repeat assessments” and argue that the continuous eligibility for PIP ought to be based on medical grounds rather than seen as a budgetary control tactic.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disabilities said: “It is, of course, important that we keep awards under review, because sometimes they go up as well as down and we want to ensure that the support being provided is appropriate for the claimant.”
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the application and evaluation methods are under examination for potential enhancements.
These considerations might shape the “fundamental reforms” anticipated from the Labour Government in spring 2025, detailing alterations to health and disability benefits. Potentially, these changes could involve a more selective approach to PIP eligibility, focusing on individuals with enduring or severe conditions, or the introduction of multiple payment tiers reflecting the degree of support needed. This stands in contrast to the current binary system of standard or enhanced levels.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson commented: “We have seen a situation this Government inherited on inactivity, we have seen the situation on the spiralling benefits bill with millions of people on long-term illness or disability out of work and not getting the support that they need, and that is why we are determined to fix this.
“Building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, we will be publishing a consultation in the spring on measures to ensure the system is better supporting people, including young people, to get them into work and keep them in work. The Government’s approach is going to be to tackle the root causes of this issue, but it is a massive challenge, it has built up over years.”