The number of people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in England and Wales has exceeded four million for the first time, according to new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The milestone has prompted the government to acknowledge a 'broken system' and pledge further reforms.
Record Number of Claimants
Data released on Tuesday, June 16, shows there were 4.01 million PIP claimants in April 2026, up from 3.74 million a year earlier – an increase of 266,175, or 7%. The number has roughly doubled since comparable records began in January 2019, when the total stood at 2.05 million.
PIP is a disability benefit designed to help individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions, disabilities, or learning difficulties. It is split into two components: a daily living part and a mobility part, each with standard and enhanced rates. The standard daily living rate is £76.55 per week, while the enhanced rate is £114.80.
Government Response: 'Broken System'
Downing Street stated that the welfare system 'has trapped people in poverty and kept them out of work for too long.' A No 10 spokeswoman said: 'The broken system we inherited wrote nearly three million people off as too sick to work, left them off benefits, and saw the welfare bill rise by £88 billion over the last parliament. That is why we are reforming the system.'
The government has launched the Timms Review, which aims to ensure PIP is 'fit and fair for the future.' An interim update is expected in the coming months. DWP also emphasised that face-to-face assessments are being increased and backlogs in work capability assessments are being tackled, contributing to £1.9 billion in savings by 2030.
Demographic Shifts
While more than half of PIP claimants are aged 50 and over, this proportion has declined from 56.4% in January 2019 to 52.2% in April 2026. Meanwhile, younger age groups are accounting for a growing share. Claimants aged 16-29 rose from 14.5% to 16.6%, and those aged 30-44 increased from 18.9% to 20.9%. The proportion of 45-59 year olds fell from 37.3% to 28.9%, while the 60-74 age group saw a rise from 29.2% to 31.1%.
Grant Rates Decline
The latest figures show that just over a third (36.6%) of new PIP claims in April were granted, while 61.4% were disallowed and 2.1% were withdrawn. The grant rate has been on a downward trend, falling from 46.2% in April 2024 and 40.0% in April 2025.
Right to Try Legislation
In April, the government introduced new legislation allowing disability claimants to work without fear of losing benefits under the 'Right to Try' scheme. This means employment will not automatically trigger a reassessment for claimants on PIP, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or the health element of Universal Credit in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said the Conservatives would 'review the entire PIP system, remove eligibility for low-level mental health PIP claims, rapidly assess hundreds of thousands of additional claims, and get Britain working again.'
