DWP Owes Up to £12,000 in Back Payments – Check If You Qualify Today

Published On:
Keir Starmer

Thousands of people across the UK could be owed significant compensation after a major policy correction by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Following a 2019 Supreme Court ruling, the government is reviewing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims that may have been incorrectly assessed.

If you claimed PIP between April 2016 and July 2019 and struggled with social interaction, you might be eligible for a back payment worth up to £12,000.

Here’s everything you need to know about the ongoing DWP review and how to check if you’re entitled to a payout.

Background

The review was triggered by a court decision known as the MM judgment, where it was ruled that the DWP had wrongly limited the definition of social support in PIP assessments. The ruling clarified that people needing help during social interactions—not just before or after—were being overlooked.

The DWP has since admitted its assessment criteria were too narrow, and it’s now reassessing over 326,000 cases to identify underpayments.

Overview

Here’s a quick summary of the review:

AspectDetails
Who is affected?PIP claimants underpaid due to misinterpreted social support needs
Payment amountUp to £12,000 (average estimated payout is £5,285)
Claims under reviewOver 326,000
Review deadlineEnd of 2025
Claim windowPIP claims made between 6 April 2016 and 18 July 2019
Conditions includedAutism, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and similar mental health issues
Action neededDWP is contacting claimants, but you can call to check your case
Official resourcegov.uk/pip

Who Could Be Eligible?

You may qualify for a back payment if you:

  • Applied for PIP between 6 April 2016 and 18 July 2019
  • Have a mental health condition that affects your ability to engage socially
  • Needed another person to support you during social interactions
  • Were denied PIP or awarded a lower rate than expected

This applies to a range of mental health and neurodivergent conditions. Some of the most commonly affected include:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • General Anxiety Disorder
  • Depression
  • PTSD
  • Social anxiety or agoraphobia
  • Bipolar disorder or schizophrenia

Even if your condition isn’t listed, if you experienced difficulty engaging socially and needed support, you could still be eligible.

Steps

To check if you might qualify, follow these steps:

  1. Review your PIP claim history
    • Did you apply between April 2016 and July 2019?
    • Were you rejected or awarded a lower rate than expected?
  2. Consider your support needs at the time
    • Did you need someone to help you interact with others?
    • Were you unable to attend appointments alone or speak to others without help?
  3. Gather supporting evidence
    • Collect GP letters, therapy reports, carer notes, or any documentation that explains your social difficulties
  4. Contact the DWP
    • Phone: 0800 121 4433
    • Textphone: 0800 121 4493
    • Ask if your claim is being reviewed under the MM judgment
  5. Seek professional advice
    • Contact Citizens Advice, Disability Rights UK, or a local welfare rights advisor for support

Example

Consider Sarah, who was diagnosed with autism and anxiety. In 2017, she was denied PIP, even though she couldn’t attend medical appointments without help. After the DWP reviewed her case under the new guidance, she received nearly £9,000 in back payments.

Tips

To help strengthen your case:

  • Be clear and specific about the support you needed at the time
  • Use letters or statements from healthcare professionals, carers, or family members
  • Don’t wait for the DWP to contact you—be proactive
  • Make sure your contact information with the DWP is up to date

For Carers

If you’re a carer or family member helping someone who may qualify:

  • Help them review their old PIP decisions
  • Support them in gathering documentation
  • Call the DWP on their behalf, with their permission
  • Assist with an appeal if needed

Expert Advice

Ben Johnson, a welfare rights advisor, says:

This is one of the most significant reassessments we’ve seen in years. People with serious mental health conditions were let down by the system. If you believe you were affected, now is the time to act.

If your claim was unfairly assessed, seek help from experienced organisations such as Citizens Advice or local disability charities.

FAQs

Who qualifies for the PIP back payment?

Those who claimed PIP between April 2016 and July 2019 and needed social support.

How much could I get in back payments?

You could receive up to £12,000 depending on your case.

Do I need to apply again for PIP?

No, the DWP is reviewing claims, but you can contact them to check.

What conditions are included in the review?

Conditions like anxiety, autism, PTSD, depression, and similar mental health issues.

When will the review be complete?

The DWP aims to finish all reviews by the end of 2025.

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