The backlog of benefits appeals is continuing to rise and is now 79% higher than it was a year ago, according to newly released statistics. The success rates for appeals has fallen for all benefits except PIP, which has seen a 1% increase.
The latest tribunal statistics cover the period from October to December 2022.
The success rates for benefits appeals overall was 62%, but this varies according to the benefit involved:
- PIP 69%, up 1%
- DLA 61%, down 5%
- ESA 49%, down 11%
- UC 53%, down 7%
Compared to the same period in 2021, the number of appeals lodged was up by 18%, mainly due to increases in PIP appeals – up 32% - and UC appeals which were up by 5%.
An impressive 68% more appeals were dealt with – up from 19,000 up to 32,000.
But the number of appeals waiting to be heard rose by 79%, and now stands at a total of 67,000.
It is taking an average of 24 weeks from a case being lodged to a decision being made.
You can read the full statistics here.