Recent statistics reveal that an estimated 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 timeframe, another 300,000 have seen their benefits cut.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reviews all PIP claims after a set period determined at the time of each application’s approval. Unscheduled reviews can also be conducted if there is a reported change in circumstances, typically when an individual’s health worsens due to an existing disability or a new medical issue arises.
Currently, around 3.6 million people in the UK receive PIP from the DWP, with awards approved for a specific 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. DWP data reveals 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.
A staggering 250,000 individuals had their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) halted based on the forms they filled out, without being summoned for a new health assessment. Additionally, 264,000 claimants saw a decrease in their PIP payments after a review, while just over half a million received an increased amount and nearly 1.4 million maintained their current PIP level, reports Lancs Live.
In October 2024 alone – the latest month for which data is available – more than 5,250 people had their PIP discontinued following a review of their claim, and 1,796 experienced a reduction in payments, while almost 5,600 were notified of an increase and 34,000 saw no change in their award. If a claimant reports a change in their circumstances, a separate review is arranged.
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This involves a full reassessment of the PIP claim, but it doesn’t necessarily result in higher payment levels. For those who have reported such changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), over 66,000 claimants have had their PIP claim completely stopped in the past eight years, including 52,000 who failed their assessment, 4,000 who didn’t attend it and 10,000 whose PIP was cancelled based solely on paperwork.
Over the same period, 35,000 people who informed the DWP about a change in their circumstances received a reduced payment level, 325,000 were awarded a higher rate and 261,000 were told they’d continue receiving the same amount.
In the latest figures for October 2024, the majority of claimants who reported a change in their situation remained on the same benefit amount (6,635 individuals), while nearly 5,000 received an increased rate. A further 227 saw their benefits reduced, and close to 500 were informed that their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would be discontinued.
Amidst complaints that these reassessments are “dehumanising” and “distressing”, there have been calls for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to implement changes. Campaigners are demanding an end to repetitive assessments and argue that continued eligibility for PIP should be based on medical grounds rather than as a cost-cutting measure.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, acknowledged last month: “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.”
However, he admitted that the application and assessment procedures are under review for potential improvements.
These may be part of the “fundamental reforms” to health and disability benefits that the Labour Government plans to unveil in spring 2025. Proposals could include changing the eligibility criteria for PIP to focus on those with long-term or severe conditions, or the introduction of multiple payment tiers reflecting the level of support needed, which would mark a departure from the current two-tier system of standard or enhanced payments.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson stated: “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.”
They added: “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.”