DWP Fraud And Error Report Reveals £1.06 Billion In Unclaimed PIP Payments Across Great Britain

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released its latest Fraud and Error in the Benefit System report for 2024/25. This detailed study shows that thousands of people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may not be getting the full amount of money they are entitled to.

According to the findings, 11% of PIP claimants are under-claiming because they have not reported important changes in their circumstances.

This means many people living with disabilities or long-term health conditions could be missing out on extra financial support that could help them manage their daily lives.

What is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit given to people who have a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition. It is designed to cover extra costs that come with these conditions, such as help with mobility, personal care, or everyday needs.

• PIP is not means-tested, which means you can get it whether you are working or not.
• The amount depends on how your condition affects your daily life and mobility, not the condition itself.
• In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP for new claimants.

Key Findings from the DWP Report

The report revealed some worrying numbers about unfulfilled eligibility (previously called claimant error).

• 11 in 100 claimants (11%) are under-claiming.
• Total unfulfilled eligibility for PIP was £1.06 billion (4.1%) in 2024/25.
• In 2023/24, the figure was slightly lower at £870 million (4%).
• PIP had the second highest unfulfilled eligibility rate among all benefits.

This shows that a significant number of people are not receiving the right amount of support, even though the government spent £25.8 billion on PIP last year, an increase from £21.6 billion in 2023/24.

How Much is PIP Worth?

PIP is paid in two parts: Daily Living and Mobility. Each part has a standard and enhanced rate.

Here’s the breakdown of weekly PIP payment rates (2025):

Component	Standard Rate	Enhanced Rate
Daily Living	£73.90 per week (£295.60 per pay period)	£110.40 per week (£441.60 per pay period)
Mobility	£29.20 per week (£116.80 per pay period)	£77.05 per week (£308.20 per pay period)

This means some people could receive up to £187.45 per week, depending on their needs.

Why Are People Missing Out on Money?

The DWP explained that the main reason for under-claiming is that claimants fail to update the department when their condition worsens or they need more help.

Some examples include:

• Not telling DWP when health conditions get worse.
• Forgetting to update after moving home or changing doctors.
• Not reporting when mobility needs increase.

This lack of updates has caused more than 402,000 people to miss out on the full amount of money they should be getting.

Changes You Do NOT Need to Report

You do not need to inform DWP if you:

• Start or leave a job.
• Change your work role (unless the help you need has changed).
• Stop claiming other benefits.
• Are made redundant.
• Retire.

Changes You MUST Report

You must contact DWP if any of the following apply:

• Your personal details change (name, address, or doctor).
• The help you need changes.
• Your condition worsens and you are not expected to live more than six months.
• You go into a hospital or care home.
• You go abroad for more than four weeks.
• You are imprisoned or detained.

If you fail to report these changes, you could face penalties or legal action.

How to Report Changes to DWP

If you need to update your PIP claim, you should contact the PIP enquiry line.
You will need:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your bank account details
• Your GP’s name and address

PIP in Scotland – The ADP Transition

In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has now replaced PIP for all new claims. People who are still on PIP will be moved over to ADP before the end of this year. This means Social Security Scotland will manage the payments instead of DWP.

Why Reporting is Important

The new fraud and error report highlights the importance of keeping your claim up to date. Many people could be missing out on hundreds of pounds every month just because they didn’t inform DWP about their condition.

Staying updated ensures:

• You receive the right amount of financial support.
• You avoid penalties or overpayment issues.
• Your claim is smoothly transferred to Social Security Scotland if you live in Scotland.

The DWP Fraud and Error report has made it clear that thousands of PIP claimants are not getting the financial support they deserve. With more than £1 billion worth of underpayments recorded, it is vital for people to report changes in circumstances quickly.

Whether your health condition has worsened, or your personal details have changed, informing DWP could mean receiving hundreds of pounds extra every month.

For those in Scotland, this is even more important as all claims will soon move to Social Security Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment system. Staying updated will help ensure you do not lose out on the money you are entitled to.

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