Young People Lead Rise in PIP Anxiety Claims
The Government of the United Kingdom is reviewing Personal Independence Payment after data shows young people are the largest group claiming for anxiety disorders.
Analysis of Department for Work and Pensions figures shows that young people aged 16 to 24 are the largest group of recent claimants for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) due to anxiety disorders. Of the 24,681 people in England and Wales who began receiving the benefit for anxiety within the last two years, 30% fall into this age bracket. As of July 31, 2026, 4.09 million people were entitled to PIP, representing a 7% increase from the previous year.
The Government of the United Kingdom is currently reviewing the cost and operation of the benefit. An interim report described the current system as "no longer fit for purpose," and the government expects to publish final recommendations for sustainable reform later this autumn.
Jed Boardman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists warned that the government's diagnostic statistics may be misleading. He argued that the data fails to capture the complexity of comorbid conditions, such as autism, and does not reveal the necessary level of detail to understand the full picture of those claiming benefits.
