More than a tenth of all 3.7 million PIP claimants could be on the wrong level of award due to a change in their circumstances.
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are currently 3.7 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). However, new figures published in the 22024/25 Fraud and Error in the Benefit System report, indicate that 11 in every 100 claimants (11%) are being under-claimed because they have not reported a change in their circumstances.
PIP has the second highest unfulfilled eligibility rate – formerly referred to as claimant error – of all benefits and relatively high expenditure, resulting in 30 per cent of total unfulfilled eligibility last year. The unfulfilled eligibility rate for PIP was £1,060m (4.1%), compared to £870m (£4%) in 2023/24.
The DWP said that all unfulfilled eligibility was due to claimants “failing to inform the Department they needed more help, or their condition had deteriorated.”.
READ MORE: People on benefits need to report these changes to DWP to avoid overpayment and £50 penaltyREAD MORE: Top up your bank balance by winning a share of £2,000!
The report states that £25.8bn was spent on PIP last year, a significant increase on the £21.6bn expenditure in 2023/24. PIP is worth between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, it’s important to be aware that how much someone receives depends on the impact their condition has on their daily living and mobility needs – not just the condition itself.
The benefit is designed to help people with extra costs due to a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition.
Adult Disability Payment has replaced all new claims for PIP in Scotland, with the remaining existing claimants due to transfer from the DWP system to Social Security Scotland over the coming months.
But the new fraud and error report clearly demonstrates that as many as 402,500 PIP claimants are not receiving the right amount of financial support they are now entitled to.
PIP and ADP payment rates 2025/26
People on the standard or higher daily living or mobility component now receive:
- Standard daily living rate – £73.90 per week, £295.60 per pay period
- Enhanced daily living rate – £110.40 per week, £441.60 per pay period
- Standard mobility rate – £29.20 per week, £116.80 per pay period
- Enhanced mobility rate – £77.05 per week, £308.20 per pay period
Changes you do not need to report to DWP
PIP is not a means-tested benefit and can be paid whether the claimant is working or not, so there is no need to inform the DWP if you:
- Start a new job
- Stop claiming other benefits
- Change roles at work – unless the amount of help you need has changed
- Leave a job
- Are made redundant
- Take retirement
Changes you must report to DWP
However, guidance on the GOV.UK website states you must contact the PIP enquiry line if:
- Your personal details change – for example, your name, address or doctor
- The help you need or your condition changes
- Your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than six months
- You go into hospital or a care home
- You go abroad (for more than four weeks)
- You are imprisoned or held in detention
The GOV.UK website goes on to warn: “You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.”
So, if you have recently moved home or switched to a new doctor, don’t put off reporting the change any longer – especially if you are on PIP living in Scotland as Social Security Scotland will use the information the DWP holds on you when you are transferred over the new devolved benefits system.
How to report a change of circumstances to DWP
Before making the call you will need your National Insurance number, bank account details and GP name and address in order for the DWP to verify your identity.
- Telephone: 0800 121 4433 (option 5)
- Textphone: 0800 121 4493
- Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 4433
- Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users – check you can use the service here.
