Thousands of people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) could be missing out on higher benefit payments because they have not told the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) their condition has worsened.
The DWP's latest Annual Report and Accounts estimates around one in 10 PIP claimants may be receiving less than they are entitled to after failing to report they need more help or their health has deteriorated.
£950 million in unclaimed PIP
The report estimates £950 million in PIP is going unclaimed through what it describes as "unfulfilled eligibility" - where people already receiving the disability benefit are entitled to a higher award but have not informed the DWP about changes that could increase their payments.
It says unfulfilled eligibility accounts for 3.3 per cent of PIP expenditure, one of the highest rates across the benefits system, with only Disability Living Allowance recording a higher proportion.
Across all benefits, the DWP estimates £3.6 billion of entitlement went unclaimed in 2025-26 because claimants had not provided updated information about changes affecting their awards. PIP accounted for £950 million of that total, making it the second-largest contributor after Universal Credit.
How much more could claimants receive?
A successful claim for PIP, or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland, is worth between £30.30 and £194.60 each week - some £121.20 or £778.40 every four-week pay period.
Someone could be awarded the highest rate of both the daily living and mobility components and receive the maximum, £778.40 every four-week pay period, or the standard rate of both, which works out as £428.00.
Someone on the standard rate of the mobility component (£121.20 every four weeks), with a change in their circumstances, such as a worsening condition or additional health issues, could potentially receive the higher rates of both components. This would result in payments of £778.40 every four weeks, an increase of £657.20.
In another example, someone currently getting the standard rate of both components (£428.00 every four-week pay period) who reports a change and is awarded the higher rate of both (£778.40), would gain an extra £350.40 each month.
Reporting a change and key considerations
The guidance on GOV.UK explains: "As the assessment principles consider the impact of a claimant’s condition on their ability to live independently and not the condition itself, claimants with the same condition may get different outcomes. The outcome is based on an independent assessment and all available evidence."
Before contacting the DWP to report a change in your circumstances, it’s important to be aware depending on the change, your PIP could go up, go down, stay the same or stop. Guidance on GOV.UK states you should contact the PIP if you need more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks, your health professional tells you your condition will last for a longer or shorter time than you reported before, or your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months.
To report a change, call the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433, lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Full guidance on reporting a change can be found on GOV.UK.
Before making any request, seek independent advice from organisations such as the Citizens Advice Network because while an award review could result in an increase in payments, it could also see them reduced or even stopped.
