Number of new PIP claims reduced by almost 40 per cent in April 2020 compared to same time last year

New DWP statistics, that cover initial period of coronavirus outbreak, also show reduction of more than 40 per cent in change of circumstances requests

New claims and change of circumstances requests for PIP have each reduced by around 40 per cent in the initial period of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to new DWP statistics.

In Personal Independence Payment: April 2013 to April 2020, the DWP says that the figures for March and April 2020 reflect the initial period of the COVID-19 outbreak, when claimant activity reduced and significant changes were made to PIP assessment procedures - including suspension of face-to-face health assessments and award reviews.

In particular, the figures for April 2020 show that   - 

• there were 25,000 registrations for new claims (58 per cent of the level a year earlier and the lowest number since December 2013);
• change of circumstances requests totalling 3,700 were around three fifths (61 per cent) of the level a year earlier;
• more than half (56 per cent) of all new claim clearances (that include withdrawn or disallowed claims pre-assessment referral), and nearly three out of five (59 per cent) of claims that were assessed, received an award in April 2020, compared to just over one in three (36 per cent) and just over half (52 per cent) respectively a year previously;  and
• more than three quarters (76 per cent) of all disability living allowance (DLA) reassessment clearances (excluding withdrawn claims) and reassessments that were assessed (77 per cent) received an award in April 2020, compared to just under three in five (57 per cent) and seven in ten (71 per cent) respectively a year previously.

Elsewhere in the statistical release, the DWP provides details of how the new working practices introduced in response to COVID-19 have impacted on outcomes for mandatory reconsideration (MR). It highlights that the number of MR registrations (19,000) in April 2020 is at the lowest level since January 2016. In addition, the statistics show that the proportion of MR decisions (excluding withdrawn MRs) resulting in a change in award rose sharply from between 40 and 44 per cent in February and March 2020 to 57 per cent in April 2020.

For more information, see Personal Independence Payment: April 2013 to April 2020 from gov.uk