Nearly two million people receiving sickness benefits in the United Kingdom may no longer qualify for them, according to government data obtained through a recent investigation. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) records indicate that more than two-thirds of benefit claimants who should undergo routine reassessments have yet to be evaluated, with the average waiting time exceeding two years. In one case, a claimant has reportedly been waiting 16 years for reassessment.
The delay in reassessments has led to billions of pounds being disbursed annually to individuals whose current eligibility remains unconfirmed. While it is unclear how many recipients may no longer meet the criteria for these payments, the situation raises significant concerns about the sustainability and integrity of the welfare system.
At present, approximately 3.9 million people claim the sickness component of universal credit, the government’s principal benefit for working-age individuals. This trend reflects a shift away from unemployment as the leading cause for claiming benefits, with health issues now predominating. Of those recipients, about 2.8 million receive a higher tier of sickness benefit, which can provide up to £430 per month. Around 2.5 million of these claimants are flagged as eligible for reassessment because their health conditions have the potential to improve over time.
Typically, claimants receive sickness benefits for periods ranging from six months to three years, after which they are expected to be reassessed to verify continued eligibility. However, these assessments were largely suspended during the COVID-19 lockdowns and have yet to resume comprehensively.
One claimant, identified only as Gavin, a taxi driver from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, described informing the DWP four years ago that he had recovered following heart surgery and was ready to return to work. Despite this, he was advised that his benefits could not be stopped without a formal reassessment—a process that never materialized. He was told to resume work while continuing to claim benefits, resulting in a situation where he was working fewer hours for roughly the same income.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden acknowledged the challenges facing the welfare system, noting that many of these issues have developed over several years. He emphasized the need for long-term solutions to ensure support systems enable individuals with illness and disability to live fulfilling lives. McFadden also highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling the problem of young people not engaged in education, employment, or training, and welcomed responsible debate on welfare reform.
The ongoing delays in reassessing sickness benefit claimants not only raise questions about the efficient use of public funds but also underscore systemic difficulties within the welfare apparatus. An inquiry into these issues aims to examine the effects on communities and the broader economy, as well as to explore potential reforms to improve the system’s effectiveness and sustainability.