The Treasury is reportedly considering significant reductions to the welfare budget in anticipation of the Chancellor’s forthcoming Spring Statement, which has sparked concerns regarding the potential impact on vulnerable groups. These proposed cuts would come before the Government’s long-awaited reforms to sickness and disability benefits, which are expected to be detailed in a Green Paper set to be released in the coming months.
While ministers have not disclosed specific areas targeted for welfare cuts, they have indicated a focus on young individuals who are neither in education nor employment, as well as those receiving benefits intended to support independent living, commonly referred to as Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), approximately 3.5 million people claimed PIP in 2024, reflecting an increase of 400,000 claimants from the previous year. As the Government evaluates potential reforms to PIP, here are the 20 most prevalent reasons individuals are claiming this benefit:
1. Arthritis
As per DWP statistics, around 436,000 individuals were claiming PIP for osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis as of the end of October 2024. This figure represents an increase of over one-third in the past five years. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, involves the deterioration of cartilage between joints, leading to pain and stiffness, predominantly affecting older adults and weight-bearing joints like hips and knees. In contrast, inflammatory arthritis, with rheumatoid arthritis being the most common form, arises when an overactive immune system attacks multiple joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness.
2. Mixed Anxiety and Depression
The latest DWP data indicates that 454,000 people were claiming PIP due to anxiety or depressive disorders in October 2024, more than doubling the number of claimants in this category over the last five years, which stood at 223,000 in October 2019. Among these, approximately 369,000 were recorded with “mixed anxiety and depressive disorders,” while the remainder had specific conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), agoraphobia, or panic disorder.
3. Back Pain
In October 2024, 253,000 individuals claimed PIP for back pain and associated conditions, marking a 40% increase since October 2019. The specific cause of back pain was not identified for most claimants; however, around 35,700 were diagnosed with lumbar disc lesions, which occur when spinal disks are damaged. Additionally, 21,000 were noted to have lumbar spondylosis, a form of osteoarthritis affecting the spine, while 18,100 were dealing with spinal stenosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spine that places pressure on the spinal cord.
4. Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Claims for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have surged significantly over the past five years. ASD is a developmental disability that impacts communication, interaction, learning, and behavior. The number of individuals claiming PIP for this condition rose from approximately 93,000 in October 2019 to 213,000 in October 2024.
5. Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Pain Syndromes
Chronic pain conditions accounted for 174,000 PIP claims in October 2024, a noticeable increase from 105,000 in October 2019. Of these, approximately 158,000 were attributed to fibromyalgia—a condition characterized by widespread pain and sensitivity throughout the body, while the remainder were classified under non-specific chronic pain conditions.
6. Down’s Syndrome and Other Learning Disabilities
As of October 2024, 172,000 individuals claimed PIP due to learning disabilities, with 22,000 identified as having Down’s syndrome. This genetic disorder, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, can lead to developmental delays and distinct physical characteristics. Additionally, 2,100 claimants were classified as having Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition resulting from a mutation on the X chromosome that can also lead to developmental delays. The majority of individuals in this category, 148,000, did not specify their learning disability.
7. Bipolar Disorder and Depression
Mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, accounted for 144,300 PIP claims in October 2024, reflecting a 65% increase from October 2019, when there were 87,500 claimants. Within this group, 55,000 were specifically diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, a mental health condition marked by extreme mood fluctuations. Additionally, 83,000 individuals were recorded as suffering from depressive disorders, which often encompass more severe forms of depression, while the remaining 5,000 had unspecified mood disorders.
8. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
The number of individuals claiming PIP for psychotic disorders has risen by 25% in the last five years, increasing from 102,500 to 128,600 by October 2024. The majority of these claimants, 83,000, were diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mental health condition that can lead to hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Additionally, 14,200 individuals claimed PIP for schizoaffective disorder, characterized by symptoms of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
9. Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
In October 2024, around 91,100 individuals claimed PIP for chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, respiratory conditions that impact lung function. Chronic bronchitis entails long-term inflammation of the airways, leading to a persistent cough, while emphysema results from damage to the air sacs in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. Both conditions can be exacerbated by smoking and environmental pollutants.
10. Stroke and Other Cerebrovascular Diseases
Cerebrovascular diseases, which compromise blood flow to the brain, accounted for 84,000 PIP claims in October 2024. Among these, 77,400 individuals claimed PIP due to strokes, which can lead to long-lasting impairments in speech and mobility. Additionally, 2,600 individuals were claiming for transient ischemic attacks, commonly known as mini-strokes, with the remainder classified under unspecified cerebrovascular diseases.
11. ADHD/ADD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by challenges in maintaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Approximately 75,700 individuals claimed PIP for ADHD in October 2024, nearly tripling the number from five years earlier, when 26,700 individuals were reported in this category.
12. Epilepsy
Epilepsy, a condition characterized by sudden electrical activity bursts in the brain leading to seizures, saw a significant increase in PIP claims. The number of individuals claiming PIP for epilepsy rose from 25,600 in October 2019 to 59,800 in October 2024.
13. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often develops after individuals witness or experience distressing or traumatic events. Symptoms may include severe nightmares, flashbacks, and various mental health challenges. The number of PIP claimants citing PTSD more than doubled from 25,300 in October 2019 to 58,800 in October 2024.
14. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a long-term condition that can lead to extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. Claims for CFS increased from 29,300 in October 2019 to 57,300 in October 2024.
15. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the deterioration of nerve fiber protective coverings, resulting in a range of neurological symptoms. Approximately 56,800 individuals claimed PIP for MS in October 2024.
16. Personality Disorder
About 55,500 individuals claimed PIP in October 2024 with “personality disorder” listed as their primary condition. However, DWP statistics did not specify subcategories. This category may encompass various conditions, including borderline personality disorder, which affects emotional stability, thinking patterns, impulsive behavior, and interpersonal relationships.
17. Injuries/Fractures/Dislocations
PIP claims related to fractures, dislocations, and unspecified injuries totaled 49,800 in October 2024, marking a 68% increase from the same period in October 2019. The DWP categorizes these claims by the affected body part, with the majority resulting from spine injuries (17,900), followed by lower limb injuries (14,700), multiple injuries (8,800), upper limb injuries (5,800), and pelvis injuries (1,800).
18. Diabetes
Approximately 40,700 individuals claimed PIP for diabetes in October 2024, more than doubling from 17,300 five years earlier. This category includes type 1 diabetes, where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells, and type 2 diabetes, where the body struggles to produce or utilize insulin effectively. In total, 14,800 claimed PIP for type 2 diabetes, 12,700 for type 1, and around 13,200 had an unspecified form of diabetes.
19. Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy, a lifelong condition that affects coordination, muscle control, and movement, is caused by damage to the brain during development, often before birth. It was cited as the primary disability for 40,000 PIP claimants in October 2024.
20. Dyslexia and Dyspraxia
About 36,400 individuals claimed PIP for learning disorders in October 2024, representing an almost one-third increase from five years prior. This category includes dyslexia, which impacts reading, writing, and spelling, as well as dyspraxia, which affects motor skills and coordination. Specifically, 4,100 PIP claims referenced dyslexia as the main disability, while 3,800 cited dyspraxia. Additionally, 24,800 were recorded with unspecified learning disorders, while 3,700 claimed for non-specific speech or language disorders.
