The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released fresh data on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), revealing that the number of claimants in England and Wales has exceeded four million for the first time. This milestone reflects ongoing changes and challenges in the welfare system aimed at supporting people with long-term disabilities.
As of April 2026, there were 4.01 million PIP claimants, up from 3.74 million in the previous year—an increase of 7%, or 266,175 claimants. Over the past seven years, since records began in January 2019, claimant numbers have nearly doubled, rising from 2.05 million. PIP was designed to help individuals with daily living costs and mobility needs due to physical or mental health conditions.
While Parliament recently abandoned proposed reforms to disability benefits following opposition from Labour backbenchers, the government has established the Timms Review to examine PIP’s effectiveness. Any significant changes are on hold until this review is completed, with an interim report expected within months. The DWP emphasizes that the review aims to make PIP “fit and fair for the future.”
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Demographic shifts among claimants show a gradual decrease in the over-50 age group—from 56.4% in 2019 to 52.2% in 2026—while the proportion of younger claimants is rising. Claimants aged 16-29 grew from 14.5% to 16.6%, and those aged 30-44 increased from 18.9% to 20.9%. Meanwhile, the share of claimants aged 45-59 has declined noticeably, and the 60-74 age group showed a slight increase.
The DWP also highlighted enhancements to the assessment process, including increased face-to-face evaluations. Despite this, the acceptance rate for new claims has dropped from 46.2% in April 2024 to 36.6% in April 2026, with more than 60% of new claims being rejected.
In a move to support employment, the government recently introduced the Right to Try scheme, allowing disabled claimants to accept work without automatically risking their benefits. This reform affects claimants receiving PIP, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Universal Credit’s health element across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Downing Street criticized the previous system for “trapping people in poverty” and excluding nearly three million individuals from work, while the welfare bill surged by £88 billion during the last parliament. The ongoing reforms focus on clearing backlogs in assessments and increasing face-to-face contact, which the government expects to deliver significant savings by 2030.
A DWP spokesperson stated, “We’re fixing the broken system we inherited by creating a welfare state that works for disabled people and taxpayers. The Timms Review, co-produced with disabled people and their representatives, will ensure PIP remains fit and fair going forward.”
Meanwhile, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately pledged that the Conservatives plan to comprehensively review the PIP system, remove eligibility for low-level mental health claims, speed up claim assessments, and enhance employment opportunities for disabled people.