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Most people agree PIP could work better: spending on the benefit is rising fast, yet many claimants are let down by poor-quality decision-making. We surveyed over 2,500 PIP recipients.
Here are five common myths about PIP reform, and the hard truths behind them
Myth 1: we could save money by cutting PIP for certain conditions.
Reality: few recipients have just one condition. A third of PIP recipients report depression, but only 2% report it alone. And around nine-in-ten of those with anxiety or ADHD report extra costs, much like those with arthritis.
Myth 2: PIP has to be an ongoing cash payment.
Reality: We think that cash should remain at PIP's core, but should be supplemented with help for one-off costs (eg buying equipment), and a new ‘participation’ element (therapy, training, etc), so that getting better doesn’t mean losing all support.
Myth 3: The kindest - and cheapest - review system is one that leaves people alone.
Reality: Less than one-in-ten recipients say their condition is stable, yet people often go years without engaging with DWP. It would be better to have a system with more frequent, but lower-stakes, engagement.
Myth #4: young people need a separate disability benefit.
Reality: Young people are more likely to expect their condition to improve, so should have their PIP reviewed more often. But their conditions aren’t as unique as people might think, with many MH conditions prevalent among all age groups.
Myth #5: Better targeting of PIP could save tens of billions.
Reality: we think that savings of £4.4bn a year are possible, by ending cash payments to people who don’t report higher costs. But that’s a ceiling, and bigger savings would mean taking PIP away from people it’s designed to help.