A recent survey has found that approximately one in six recipients of Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a disability benefit intended to cover additional costs related to disabilities, report incurring no extra expenses because of their conditions. PIP is a non-means-tested benefit currently claimed by over four million people in the UK, designed to assist with the extra costs associated with disabilities regardless of employment or education status.

The research, conducted by the Resolution Foundation, an economic think tank, surveyed over 2,500 claimants aged 16 to 64 in England and Wales. It found that 16 percent of recipients reported no additional costs related to their disabilities, with younger claimants particularly represented in this group. About 21 percent of those aged 16 to 24 reported little limitation and no extra costs arising from their conditions. The think tank suggested that these findings indicate a significant portion of payments may not be aligned with actual need.

Based on this research, the Resolution Foundation proposed several changes to the PIP system. These include the possibility of removing or reducing payments for around 12 percent of current claimants by 2029-30, approximately 490,000 people, and converting payments for a further 4 percent to non-financial support, potentially generating savings of £4.4 billion. The foundation also recommended shifting from ongoing payments to one-off sums for claimants who require items such as mobility aids or home adaptations, noting that 30 percent of those with higher disability-related costs reported expenses related to such appliances and 22 percent required one-off adaptations.

The report highlighted concerns with the current assessment system, which relies on a points-based questionnaire focused on daily tasks such as washing, dressing, and mobility. The foundation suggested greater emphasis should be placed on claimants’ ability to engage in activities outside the home and recommended more frequent but lower-stakes reassessments to better capture fluctuating conditions and reduce stress.

The Disability Minister, Sir Stephen Timms, is reviewing the PIP system and is expected to propose reforms later this autumn. Amid rising welfare costs, there is speculation that some disability payments may be converted into benefits in kind, such as access to non-financial support services. Officials have acknowledged cases where recipients with conditions like asthma, back pain, Covid-related disabilities, and dyslexia qualified for benefits normally intended to assist with significant mobility challenges, sparking debates about eligibility criteria. For example, thousands of claimants with asthma and unspecified back pain have accessed schemes like Motability, which allows using PIP funds toward leasing a vehicle.

Reactions to the report reflect divergent views. While disability advocates emphasize that PIP enables disabled individuals to live more active and fuller lives, some critics argue the system should focus on genuine need to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds. Shimeon Lee, a policy analyst from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, described PIP as a necessary lifeline but cautioned against it becoming an open-ended expense.

The Department for Work and Pensions declined to comment on the specifics of potential reforms ahead of an upcoming budget announcement, stating only that it remains committed to ensuring the scheme supports those it was intended to help. Meanwhile, official data show PIP expenditure has risen from £16.3 billion in 2019-20 (adjusted for inflation) to £27.3 billion in 2024-25, underscoring concerns about the sustainability of current spending levels.