Nearly half of all claims for Personal Independent Payments (PIP) were denied by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last year.
According to the DWP’s own figures, out of 721,100 PIP claims processed during the period of 2023/24, 332,800 were declined—reflecting a rejection rate of approximately 46%.
This is of course in stark contrast to what the government and corporate media would have the public believe. That is, that PIP and other disability-and health-related benefits are ‘easy’ to get – and, in the words of DWP boss Liz Kendall, people are ‘taking the mickey’.
DWP PIP rejection rates are huge…
The stark numbers were disclosed by DWP minister Stephen Timms in reply to a parliamentary inquiry posed by Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling. Darling inquired specifically about how many claims, initially refused, were later successful upon appeal.
Following the initial rejections, 13,500 DWP PIP claims were granted after appeal processes, which represents about 4% of all rejections. As noted by Timms, the total number of outstanding appeals continues to grow, with up to 18,900 cases yet to be resolved, suggesting that the true rate of successful appeals could change as more claims are reviewed.
Timms acknowledged the DWP’s struggles to provide satisfactory support, stating that the department has faced mounting criticism for its treatment of claimants. A recent report from the Public Accounts Committee described the DWP’s assessment procedures as “unacceptably poor”, leading many disability advocates to label the PIP application system as “flawed”.
PIP is designed to assist individuals over the age of 16 living with long-term disabilities or health conditions. It is supposed to support people with the additional costs that come with being chronically ill and/or disabled.
Of course, what you’re not readily told is that benefits like PIP are not only good for disabled people, but good for the economy too.
Yet PIP is good for the economy
For 3.5 million people in the UK, DWP benefits like PIP and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are a lifeline. These programs cover essential extra living costs, such as mobility aids and support for daily activities. Yet, the value of these benefits transcends mere financial support.
Think tank Pro Bono Economics has released a new report. It’s called More than money: The life-long wellbeing impact of disability benefits.
The study reveals that receiving chronic illness or disability benefits increases life satisfaction by an average of 0.79 points on a 10-point scale. This improvement becomes even more pronounced over time, reaching 1.1 points after four years of receiving support.
For individuals in poor health, the impact is even greater, with life satisfaction increasing by 1.2 points. This boost reflects not only financial relief but also enhanced mental health, social inclusion, and reduced anxiety.
The monetary value of this wellbeing improvement is staggering. According to the study, the annual wellbeing benefit for each recipient of DWP PIP or DLA is valued at £12,300. This translates to an estimated £42 billion in total annual benefits for all recipients, far outweighing the £28 billion cost of providing these benefits. For every £1 spent on disability support, the UK economy gains £1.48 in wellbeing benefits.
Not accessible
Yet overall, DWP PIP rejection rates raise serious concerns over benefits accessibility. Moreover, the corporate media would have you believe that disabled people claiming PIP are a burden on society.
The high rejection rate for PIP claims, coupled with the looming question of just how much the Labour Party government intends to cut people’s benefits by, casts a shadow over the DWP’s effectiveness. As the parameters for support evolve, it becomes increasingly crucial for potential claimants to stay informed and vigilant about their entitlements – otherwise, the DWP will happily rip them off.
Featured image via the Canary
