The DWP is under fire as delays in processing PIP mandatory reconsiderations nearly double within a year. Amid mounting backlogs and an accelerated migration to Universal Credit, vulnerable claimants face heightened risks, with critics questioning the effectiveness of mechanisms like the Enhanced Support Journey (ESJ).
DWP : Processing Delays Leave Claimants in Limbo
For those who depend on this vital benefit, the processing period for mandatory reconsiderations (MRs) for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims has almost quadrupled in less than a year. Average MR processing times increased from 37 days in December 2023 to 71 days in July 2024, according to official data. These delays result in extended financial uncertainty and hardship for thousands of claimants, frequently making already challenging situations worse.
The issue highlights broader inefficiencies within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which has faced criticism for its inability to manage the increasing workload. Vulnerable groups, particularly those with disabilities or chronic conditions, are left waiting for essential decisions about their financial support.
While some assistance is available through the ESJ for those who fail to transition to Universal Credit, this mechanism is not a legal process and lacks formal accountability measures. This gap leaves claimants at risk of falling through administrative cracks, exacerbating their challenges.
A Systemic Strain That Heavily Affects Claimants
The delays in PIP reconsiderations are part of a wider operational crisis at the DWP. Backlogs for PIP reviews, which are averaging 290 days to complete, underscore the department’s ongoing struggle to keep pace with demand. Other benefits are similarly affected, with timely processing of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claims for children plummeting from 96.8% in 2016-2017 to just 3.5% in 2023-2024.
Adding to these challenges is the DWP’s accelerated timeline for migrating Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants to Universal Credit (UC), which is expected to affect over 800,000 people by late 2025. Critics argue that the department lacks the capacity to execute such large-scale policy shifts while resolving existing inefficiencies.
Although the Enhanced Support Journey (ESJ) is designed to aid vulnerable individuals during this transition, its informal nature raises concerns about its adequacy and oversight.
Employing more employees and allowing MR decision-makers to work extra are two ways to try to address these issues. However, there are still concerns over the DWP’s capacity to successfully handle these issues given persistent backlogs, impending policy changes, and inadequate protections for the most vulnerable claimants.
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