A scathing parliamentary report has issued a stark warning over the severe health risks faced by disabled people due to 'unacceptable' delays in processing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims.
Report Exposes 'Unacceptable' Waiting Times and Systemic Failures
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found that applicants for the crucial disability benefit are facing protracted waits, with some enduring over a year for a decision on their claim. The committee criticised the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for lacking a credible short-term plan to tackle the backlog.
Evan John, Policy Advisor at the national disability charity Sense, highlighted the human cost, stating that the arduous application process itself is harming people. "Almost half of disabled people with complex needs said applying for benefits made their condition worse because of how difficult and exhausting the process is," he said.
Delays Push Vulnerable People Into Poverty and Debt
The report explicitly warns that these extensive delays can force disabled claimants into debt and poverty. James Taylor, Director of Strategy at Scope, emphasised that disabled people already face sky-high living costs, making timely financial support essential. "PIP is a lifeline for disabled people. The cost of living is still sky high and disabled people are far more likely to live in poverty. At the very least the government must get its administration right," he stated.
Lucy Bannister, head of policy at Turn2us, called the situation a national disgrace, saying, "In the sixth richest global economy, we should all get support if we become sick or disabled. Making disabled people wait months for help is unacceptable."
Government's Digital Overhaul Faces Major Setbacks
Compounding the crisis, the DWP's plan to modernise the system has been hit by significant delays. Three years ago, the government aimed to process 20% of PIP claims online by 2026. It has now admitted this target will not be met until 2029.
The PAC declared this timescale far too long for claimants waiting for improvements and demanded the DWP clarify when people can expect a better service. The committee also called for the publication of comprehensive data on processing times and an update on the £647 million Health Transformation Programme meant to overhaul the system.
Campaigners point to Scotland as an example, where a less complicated application process for disability assistance has been implemented. Lucy Bannister suggested, "A less complicated and more accessible application for disability support, as in Scotland, would help reduce waiting times, stop more disabled people from falling into poverty and help more people live independently."
In response, a DWP spokesperson said: "We're fixing the broken welfare system we inherited... We always aim to make PIP award decisions as quickly as possible, and the Timms Review is looking at PIP as a whole to make sure it is fit and fair for the future."
