Just 8% of disallowed personal independence payment (PIP) claims were overturned at appeal in 2017/18 according to figures released this month by Justin Tomlinson, minister for disabled people. The small percentage suggests many claimants who are entitled to PIP are missing out.
According to Tomlinson, where PIP was disallowed the following percentages of decisions were overturned on appeal:
2014/15 5%
2015/16 7%
2016/17 9%
2017/18 8%
However, set against these figures is the fact that over 70% of claimants who appeal a PIP decision are successful.
If only 8% of disallowances are being successfully challenged but 70% of appeals are successful, it seems beyond doubt that many of the claimants who were refused PIP on initial claim would have got an award if they had battled through to an oral hearing.
Unfortunately, many claimants find the prospect of challenging a decision, especially if they cannot get help, too overwhelming to contemplate. Others simply assume that the system is rigged against them and feel there is no point in fighting.
