The latest personal independence payment (PIP) statistics reveal a record number of 3.5 million claims in payment, with over a third of the latest claimants getting the highest possible award. Eight out of ten new claimants got an award lasting two years or less.
At 31 July 2024 there were 3.5 million claimants entitled to PIP in England and Wales, a rise of 3% over the last quarter.
37% received the highest level of award, up from 36% in April.
Success rates
The success rate for new claims was:
- 46% for all new claims, this is identical to the same period last year
- 53% for claims that got as far as assessment, an increase from 52% in July 2023
Award lengths
For normal rules new claims in the quarter ending July 2024:
- 79% of claims awarded were short term (0 to 2 years)
- 13% were longer term (over 2 years)
- 7% were ongoing
Clearances
In the quarter ending July 2024 there were:
- 210,000 registrations and 240,000 clearances for new claims
- 33,000 changes of circumstance reported and 29,000 cleared
- 23,000 registrations and 20,000 clearances for DLA reassessments
- 120,000 planned award reviews registered and 100,000 cleared
- 68,000 mandatory reconsiderations registered and 66,000 cleared
This means that whilst the DWP are getting on top of new claims, they are losing ground on planned reviews, changes of circumstances, mandatory reconsiderations and DLA to PIP transfers. In fact, the number of planned review decisions was 9% lower than in the same quarter last year.
Last five years
Over the last five years (August 2019 to July 2024):
- 42% of normal rules new claims, 70% of normal rules DLA reassessment claims, and 98% of Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) claims received an award (excluding withdrawn claims)
- 73% of planned award reviews resulted in an increase or no change to the level of award received by the claimant
- 85% of changes of circumstances resulted in an increase or no change to the level of award received by the claimant
- 34% of mandatory reconsiderations cleared (excluding withdrawn) have led to a change in award
You can read the full PIP statistics for the quarter to 31 July 2024 here.
