The latest statistics from the DWP show that there are now 3.5 million claimants in receipt of personal independence payment (PIP). Success rates for new claims over the last five years are at 41%, and 36% of all claimants are now in receipt of the enhanced rate for both components.
The figures also show that the DWP back down and change their decision before a hearing in almost a quarter of cases (24%) where the claimant lodges an appeal against a new claim decision.
Where the claimant lodges an appeal against a review decision, the DWP back down and change their decision in almost half (47%) of all cases.
The DWP figures cover the quarter ending January 2024.
They show that at 31 January 2024, there were 3.3 million claimants entitled to PIP in England and Wales, a 3% increase on October 2023. There were another 220,000 PIP claimants in Scotland, giving a total of just over 3.5 million claimants in receipt of PIP.
36% of claimants are getting the enhanced rate of both components.
The figures also show that in the quarter ending January 2024, there were:
- 210,000 registrations and 210,000 clearances for new claims
- 30,000 changes of circumstance reported and 32,000 cleared
- 21,000 registrations and 21,000 clearances for DLA reassessments
- 130,000 planned award reviews registered and 120,000 cleared
- 71,000 mandatory reconsiderations (MRs) registered and 63,000 cleared
Over the last 5 years the success rates are:
- 41% of normal rules new claims,
- 69% of normal rules DLA reassessment claims, and
- 99% of Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) claims
In addition:
- 72% of planned award reviews resulted in an increase or no change to the level of award
- 83% of changes of circumstances resulted in an increase or no change to the level of award
- 34% of MRs cleared (excluding withdrawn) have led to a change in award
For initial decisions following a PIP assessment during October 2018 to September 2023:
- 34% of completed MRs against initial decisions following a PIP assessment went on to lodge an appeal
- 24% of appeals lodged saw DWP change the decision in the customer’s favour before the appeal was heard at tribunal (known as “lapsed” appeals)
- 3% of initial decisions were overturned (revised in favour of the customer) at a tribunal hearing. (NB, the actual success rate for PIP appeals is 70%)
For award review outcomes following a PIP assessment during October 2018 to September 2023:
- 34% of completed MRs against award review decisions following a PIP assessment went on to lodge an appeal
- 47% of appeals lodged saw DWP change the decision in the customer’s favour before the appeal was heard at tribunal (known as “lapsed” appeals)
- 2% of award review outcome decisions were overturned (revised in favour of the customer) at a tribunal hearing.
You can read the full statistics here.
