The latest tribunal statistics show an increased probability that the DWP will give in before a hearing but a big rise in waiting times for those who have to go all the way to a tribunal. PIP success rates have risen slightly but other benefits have fallen.
The newest statistics cover the period April to June 2024.
Overall, the number of social security appeals lodged fell by 8% compared to the same quarter last year, with 32,000 appeal requests received.
There was an 11% fall in the number of PIP appeals and a 34% drop in DLA appeals.
PIP appeals now account for 64% of all cases and UC 21%.
29,000 cases were dealt with and 61% of these went all the way to a hearing, compared to 70% last year.
The 9% drop suggest that the DWP is surrendering before the appeal date in an increasing number of cases.
This may also explain why only 60% of appeals were won by the claimant at their hearing, compared to 63% last year – the DWP is only fighting those cases where it thinks it has a better chance of victory.
The success rate for claimants who actually went to an appeal tribunal was:
- PIP 69% - up 1% on last year
- DLA 59% - down 4% on last year
- ESA 44% - down 8% on last year
- UC 49% - down 5% on last year
There were 79,000 open cases at the end of June, an increase of 12% on last year.
It is now taking an average of 35 weeks for a case to get to a tribunal from the date it is lodged, an increase of 8 weeks on the same period last year.
