The Department for Work and Pensions has provided a key update on Personal Independence Payment appeals, with Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms announcing plans to reduce delays and improve efficiency. The department is also making health assessments automatically audio recorded by default.
Appeal waiting times and improvements
In response to a written question from Liberal Democrat Liz Jarvis, Sir Stephen revealed that the mean and median waiting time between a PIP appeal being lodged and the DWP submitting its response to HM Courts and Tribunals Service for 2025 was 5 weeks. The department does not hold data on when a tribunal hearing date is set.
Sir Stephen stated: “We are increasing resources available for writing appeal responses by redeploying staff and making overtime available. We are also looking to make appeal writing more efficient by improving the programme that decision makers use. The improved tool will integrate better with other DWP computer systems, which will make it faster and easier to use than the current process.”
He added: “We will continue working to make the right decision as early as possible in the claim journey so people get the support they are entitled to without needing to appeal.”
Health assessments now audio recorded by default
A significant change has come into force for people undergoing online and face-to-face health assessments for disability and sickness benefits. By default, all assessments will be automatically audio recorded, affecting Personal Independence Payment, Work Capability Assessments, Employment and Support Allowance, and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
Previously, claimants had to opt in to recording, with fewer than 3 per cent doing so. Officials said the new policy, fully implemented in July, “will improve public trust in the health assessment process through greater transparency”.
Sir Stephen commented: “Improving transparency and trust in the benefits system is one of this government’s key aims, which is why we’re making this important change. Audio recording health assessments as standard will mean we are available to make improvements and increase assessment quality, resulting in a better experience for claimants.”
The change delivers on a commitment first made in the Pathways to Work Green Paper published in March 2025.
PIP review and rising caseload
The update comes shortly after Sir Stephen published an interim report into PIP, warning that the “vital support” provided by the benefit could be under threat if costs keep rising. Official figures earlier this year showed the number of claimants in England and Wales passed four million for the first time, roughly doubling since 2019. The final report is expected this autumn.
