Record 3.5 million people now getting PIP, latest statistics show

Details: Published: 18 September 2024

The latest personal independence payment (PIP) statistics reveal a record number of 3.5 million claims in payment, with over a third of the latest claimants getting the highest possible award. Eight out of ten new claimants got an award lasting two years or less.

At 31 July 2024 there were 3.5 million claimants entitled to PIP in England and Wales, a rise of 3% over the last quarter.

37% received the highest level of award, up from 36% in April.

Success rates

The success rate for new claims was:

46% for all new claims, this is identical to the same period last year
53% for claims that got as far as assessment, an increase from 52% in July 2023

Award lengths

For normal rules new claims in the quarter ending July 2024:

79% of claims awarded were short term (0 to 2 years)
13% were longer term (over 2 years)
7% were ongoing

Clearances

In the quarter ending July 2024 there were:

210,000 registrations and 240,000 clearances for new claims
33,000 changes of circumstance reported and 29,000 cleared
23,000 registrations and 20,000 clearances for DLA reassessments
120,000 planned award reviews registered and 100,000 cleared
68,000 mandatory reconsiderations registered and 66,000 cleared

This means that whilst the DWP are getting on top of new claims, they are losing ground on planned reviews, changes of circumstances, mandatory reconsiderations and DLA to PIP transfers. In fact, the number of planned review decisions was 9% lower than in the same quarter last year.

Last five years

Over the last five years (August 2019 to July 2024):

42% of normal rules new claims, 70% of normal rules DLA reassessment claims, and 98% of Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) claims received an award (excluding withdrawn claims)
73% of planned award reviews resulted in an increase or no change to the level of award received by the claimant
85% of changes of circumstances resulted in an increase or no change to the level of award received by the claimant
34% of mandatory reconsiderations cleared (excluding withdrawn) have led to a change in award

You can read the full PIP statistics for the quarter to 31 July 2024 here.

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Lill · 1 hours ago
All the media does is get paid to stir the pot nothing has been said yet and there is loads of scare mongering going on yes the benefits system will get changed no doubt about it but I don't think their going to just strip people over night they'd get in trouble by the high courts and with the new book on exposure of DWP failures they'd not want that on their heads i do think they'll means test pip it's a fast way to drop numbers I think with more people being on short term pip awards I think they'll look at them first except terminally ill people will just have to wait til the 7th Oct that's when pip is being debated in the commons then the autumn statement is 30th Oct it's a worrying time for everyone there's been certain people saying there's not much to worry about just a few tweaks to welfare system and a health and skills plan for people with ill health the government have admitted it's not going to be overnight but they set a goal for 2028 at the moment it's all discussions between a room of people looking for a plan just remember what happened to the people who tried stopping disability back in 2015/2016 they either u turned or didn't even chance going through with it before people say look at the winter fuel that was done because alot of oaps have money they means tested it to root out the ones who don't need it yes there's a few that lost out by a few £,s those people shouldn't of been affected but octopus energy and probs other companies will discount their bills .
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JJ · 8 hours ago
It's all speculation at the moment but it seems likely that welfare reforms are on the table, PIP claims shot up after the covid lockdowns yet nobody wants to touch that subject, could it be that the emotional effects of isolation has severely impacted the minds of many young people?

Why is it the political class and media don't want to talk about that? It's because they're the ones who cheered it all on, all of that created the financial mess we are in and furlough also.

I'll talk about my situation, I've been on antidepressants of every variety since 2007, I witnessed a horrific event between my mother and father as a kid, father was a sexual abuser and abused me and my brother, we later found out he had a criminal record with those acts on the wrap sheet. I managed to work and study until 2019 when I had a complete breakdown, with my mother looking after me.

Zero friends as I closed myself off, only person I talk to is my mother, can't communicate face to face with anyone else, been a hermit for years and have been sectioned also as a threat to myself.

I was recovering then covid happened then everything got worse, the only thing that has kept me going in between waiting 9 months for counselling and being basically palmed off with antidepressants has been the financial sustenance. I haven't put anything on, or playacted and the same goes for everyone here that's why we worry about this situation. I don't want sympathy, I want to recover, I want solutions but the NHS here in Cornwall is stretched, everyone is moving to Cornwall and the services can't take all these people flighting to Cornwall from the big cities.

We locked down for those elderly telegraph reading people, the same people who throw the younger generations, generations full of mental illnesses under the bus. They are the selfish people and just because they're elderly doesn't give them the right to be such nasty, spiteful hypocrites.
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  MJ · 2 hours ago
  
  @JJ My story isn't the same but quite similar to yours, but COVID didn't affect my mental health as I kept myself to myself most of the time prior to that anyway, and talk to my mum and a friend, to a lesser extent, on the phone and email, so not seeing them much didn't matter. It was also quite refreshing to see others experience what I go through on long term basis, without getting satisfaction from others misfortune whatsoever, I'm not that person, but it did give perhaps others some more understanding of my life in general.
  
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vic · 11 hours ago
All these story's doing the rounds by the media of record high claims for disability benefit is no doubt is being spoon fed by this horrible new goverment,just like the tories did .
So when they announce their master plan in the next budget to tackle getting the sick back into work & benefit cuts their wont be an outcry.
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Truth · 15 hours ago
Along with the WCA, a major shakeup of PIP will be on the cards this budget without a doubt, either by means testing it, making the criteria infinitely harder to qualify for, or implementing the voucher system instead of money.. Sad,
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  MJ · 2 hours ago
  
  @Jon I'm not sure if I could work even part-time, unlikely, but even so, would they just allow you to work part-time? I don't think so, I think they would be on your back trying to get you to work more, especially after while.
  
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  Anon · 5 hours ago
  
  @HRH People will just give up their jobs,carers will no longer work and people like myself will lose out because their partner cashed in a pension,it's not my money,none of it is but I will lose my income over him doing that,he has no annuity with the pension, it was a lump sum only scheme and he got 31k so no doubt I will lose my money,I can't do any kind of work at all,and with my health problems noone would ever employ me anyhow
  
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  claresturgeon · 8 hours ago
  
  @HRH I'd be grateful if you provide the link where the government has stated that PIP is going to be means tested please. I'd like to read it so I can write to my MP.
  
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  Jon · 9 hours ago
  
  @M shirker Yes Mr shirker I to am preparing for part time work if anyone will employ me possibly 4 hours a day 5 days a week 20 hours total
  
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  M shirker · 13 hours ago
  
  @Truth @Truth I know it’s all worrying and will effect us all in some way although it will probably be for new claims only and if not then got a least 1-2 years before anything happens I’m preparing for part time work now
  
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