Rule change on needless benefit payouts

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 16, 2026

The UK government has introduced a policy allowing sickness benefit claimants to voluntarily stop payments without a mandatory reassessment, aiming to reduce delays caused by a backlog of appointments. This change addresses longstanding issues of prolonged payments to potentially ineligible claimants and has already seen over a thousand individuals voluntarily end their claims, though it affects a small fraction of those overdue for reassessment.

The UK government has introduced a change allowing sickness benefit claimants to stop receiving payments without undergoing a mandatory reassessment, following findings that a significant number of people were being paid benefits without verified eligibility.

The revision, implemented in July but only recently disclosed publicly, permits individuals who notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that they no longer require sickness benefits to discontinue those payments immediately, without waiting for an assessment appointment. Previously, claimants had to undergo a reassessment before benefits could be stopped, even if they wished to end their claim. Exiting the sickness benefit previously required ending the entire universal credit claim, which could result in losing other entitlement components such as housing, carer, or child elements.

A government source described the measure as addressing a “long-running situation” where claimants had to endure lengthy assessment backlogs before payments could be halted, and indicated that early data showed the change was already having an effect. Since the rule adjustment, over a thousand individuals have chosen to voluntarily give up their sickness benefits. However, this number represents just 0.05 percent of claimants who are overdue for reassessment.

The DWP retains the ability to conduct reassessments if safeguarding concerns arise despite a claimant’s request to stop receiving payments. The department faces considerable challenges due to a backlog of reassessment appointments, with reports indicating that billions of pounds in sickness benefits are being paid annually to claimants who may no longer be eligible. Freedom of information data suggest that on average, claimants continue to receive payments for two years beyond their prognosis period—when reassessment should typically take place.

A case highlighted during the inquiry involves Gavin, a taxi driver from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, who began claiming sickness benefits in 2020 after heart surgery. When he sought to end his claim a year later, he was informed that he would have to wait indefinitely for a reassessment appointment. Following publicity about his situation, Gavin was contacted by his local jobcentre and encouraged to attend a telephone meeting. Staff reportedly told him about the “huge backlog” and recommended he continue working while allowing benefits to taper off, a process where claimants lose 67 pence for every pound earned.

Gavin expressed frustration with this approach, noting it discouraged increasing work hours due to the gradual reduction of benefits alongside earned income. He also stated that despite the recent rule change allowing claimants to stop sickness benefits without reassessment, he was not informed of this update during his interactions with DWP staff. Additionally, he described receiving sickness benefits while working as a “perk” under the existing system.

The DWP has been contacted for further comment on the new procedures and ongoing backlog issues.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.