DWP Launches Urgent Appeal to Benefit Claimants Over Payment Shortfalls
The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a stark warning to benefit claimants across the UK, urging them to act promptly to avoid missing out on potentially higher payments they are entitled to receive. Senior officials have made a direct appeal for individuals to notify the department whenever their personal circumstances change, as this simple step could unlock significant additional financial support.
PIP Identified as Major Area for Unclaimed Entitlements
During a recent parliamentary committee hearing, DWP permanent secretary Peter Schofield revealed that disability benefits, particularly Personal Independence Payment (PIP), represent the most substantial area where claimants are failing to receive their full entitlements. The department has identified that many people simply do not inform officials when their situations change, leading to underpayment of benefits they legally qualify for.
"For most of our benefits, we do rely on the claimant letting us know about a change in circumstance," explained Mr Schofield. "One of the key things we are increasingly trying to do more of is to remind people to let us know, to make it easier for people to let us know."
New 'Tell Us Too' Campaign Launched
The DWP has initiated a fresh awareness campaign titled 'Tell Us Too' designed to encourage benefit recipients to keep the department informed about life changes. Mr Schofield elaborated on the campaign's messaging: "When something has changed in your circumstance, you might tell a friend about it, but can you also tell DWP? Please let us know about a change of circumstance, and we can make a difference. That is about adjusting up and adjusting down [payments]."
The department is simultaneously developing a comprehensive 'customer account' system that would allow claimants to manage all their DWP benefits through a single portal. This technological advancement aims to simplify the process of reporting changes, with Mr Schofield noting: "The idea is we will get to a point where you can make a change of circumstance on that system and that will then be replicated across all the DWP benefits that you might be receiving."
Substantial Financial Implications for PIP Claimants
Personal Independence Payment provides crucial financial assistance to cover additional living costs associated with long-term health conditions, illnesses, or disabilities. The benefit operates on a two-component system:
- Daily Living Component: Lower rate - £73.90 weekly, Higher rate - £110.40 weekly
- Mobility Component: Lower rate - £29.20 weekly, Higher rate - £77.05 weekly
Claimants can qualify for either component independently, meaning they might receive support for one element while not qualifying for the other. Crucially, PIP is not means-tested, so employment status, earnings, and savings do not affect eligibility.
Mr Schofield highlighted a particularly concerning group: existing PIP claimants whose health has deteriorated to the point where they now qualify for higher premium rates within the benefit structure. Currently, the minimum weekly payment stands at £29.20 (£116.80 per four-week payment cycle). However, if a claimant's condition worsens and they become eligible for both higher rates, their weekly payment could increase dramatically to £187.45 (£749.80 per payment period) - representing a substantial £633 boost to their income.
Prioritised Assessment Process for Changing Circumstances
The DWP has committed to prioritising cases where claimants report deteriorating health conditions. Mr Schofield assured: "We prioritise those requests when they come in, to make sure that they get access to a health assessment quickly, so we can put that right quickly. So they are towards the top of the queue, in that health assessments process for PIP, alongside new claims."
The department is actively exploring methods to encourage individuals to come forward when their health conditions worsen, ensuring they receive the correct payment amounts without unnecessary delay. This approach forms part of a broader effort to address what officials describe as "unfulfilled eligibility" within the benefits system, particularly concerning disability support.
With millions of Britons relying on various forms of state support, the DWP's renewed focus on claimant communication represents a significant development in social security administration. The department's message remains clear: regular updates about changing circumstances can make a substantial difference to the financial support individuals receive, potentially transforming household budgets for those facing health challenges or disability-related expenses.
