The number of people entitled to personal independence payments (PIP) in England and Wales has reached a record high, with more than 4 million claimants as of July 31, 2026, according to data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). PIP is a benefit designed to support individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities, helping with everyday tasks and additional living costs.

The total number of claimants stood at 4.09 million, marking a significant increase of approximately 262,000 (7 percent) from 3.83 million a year earlier. This figure represents nearly a doubling since January 2019, when 2.05 million people were recorded as entitled to PIP. Among the current claimants, 83 percent (around 3.4 million) are of working age, while 690,000 (17 percent) are of state pension age. Those aged 50 and over make up 55 percent of the total, with nearly 29 percent aged 30 to 49, and roughly 17 percent aged 16 to 29.

The rise in PIP claims has been attributed in part to increasing recognition and diagnosis of mental health conditions. In the year 2025-26, around 108,660 new claims for psychiatric conditions were approved, comprising 37.1 percent of all new claim awards. Notably, the number of claimants receiving PIP for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) more than doubled, rising from 13,480 in 2022-23 to 31,790 in 2025-26.

Spending on PIP has also grown substantially. Adjusted for inflation, expenditure increased from £16.3 billion in 2019-20 to £27.3 billion in 2024-25, with forecasts suggesting costs could reach £41.5 billion by 2030-31.

Efforts to reduce the cost of disability benefits have faced political challenges. Plans to cut the disability benefits bill by £5 billion were abandoned last year following a rebellion by Labour backbenchers, leading to a shelving of proposals to tighten PIP eligibility.

A government-commissioned review of PIP, headed by social security minister Sir Stephen Timms, is ongoing, with its interim findings released in July describing the system as “no longer fit for purpose.” A DWP spokesperson indicated that the final report, expected in the autumn, will recommend reforms aimed at creating a more sustainable framework for PIP going forward.