The number of people receiving Britain’s main disability benefit has passed four million for the first time, according to new government figures.
Data released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that 4.01 million people were entitled to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in April 2026, an increase of more than seven per cent compared with the same time last year.
PIP helps people with the extra costs associated with long-term health conditions or disabilities. It is available to both working and non-working claimants and is not means-tested.
The latest figures show that mental health conditions now account for more than one in three claims. Anxiety and depressive disorders remain the most commonly reported primary condition among those receiving support.
Autism has also become one of the fastest-growing reasons for claiming the benefit and has now overtaken osteoarthritis as the second most commonly cited condition.
The figures suggest successful claims linked to anxiety, depression, stress and autism continue to rise steadily, with around 100 additional cases being approved every day.
The increase comes as councils, charities and healthcare providers across the country continue to report growing demand for mental health support services, particularly among younger adults.
According to the DWP, more than two in five claimants whose primary condition is a mental health disorder receive the highest level of daily living support available through PIP.
Overall spending on disability benefits for adults and pensioners is expected to reach around £32 billion this year.
The Government has launched a review of the PIP system, led by Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms, as ministers examine how the benefit can continue to support those who need it while ensuring the system remains sustainable in the future.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has previously said welfare reform is necessary as the number of claimants continues to grow.
Health experts have pointed to a range of factors behind the rise, including greater awareness of mental health conditions, the lasting effects of the Covid pandemic, longer NHS waiting lists and an increase in the number of people living with long-term health problems.
The latest figures underline the scale of the challenge facing policymakers as they seek to balance support for vulnerable people with the rising cost of Britain’s welfare bill.
For many families, however, the debate is less about statistics and more about access to support. With record numbers now relying on disability benefits, the figures highlight the growing impact that both physical and mental health conditions are having on communities across the country.
