In September 2021, the 大象传媒 Shared Data Unit reported seven out of ten people who appealed in court against a decision to deny them disability benefits were successful.
In total, more than 293,000 people across the UK had overturned a government decision at tribunal in the previous three years.
Most hearings centred on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the main disability benefit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it made millions of PIP decisions and 5% were overturned.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act also revealed more than 1,000 people across the UK had died while formally challenging their benefit decision.
In July 2021 we had reported how the DWP had held at least 268 internal reviews into cases where people claiming benefits died or came to serious harm since February 2012. The Labour Party then called for an "urgent independent investigation".
Method
We analysed figures from from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Northern Ireland's Department for Communities (DfC).
Our analysis found:
- In England, Scotland and Wales, seven in every 10 tribunal appeals about benefits had been successful since 2018
- Over the same period, some 500 people died before their initial challenge, their Mandatory Reconsideration, was decided
- A further 421 tribunal cases in England, Scotland and Wales were abated (progress halted) because the appellant died and no appointee had yet been found to continue appeals
- In Northern Ireland, six out of every 10 appeals were successful since 2019. Sixty appeals had been lodged on behalf of people who died since 2013
Data and sources
The data and background methodology released to partners are available here:
Interviews and quotes
- Kerry Jones, who won a tribunal appeal on behalf of her father Keith after his death. He had mouth cancer and was denied PIP after previously receiving DLA
- David Smith, who won a tribunal on his behalf of his brother James Oliver after his death. James had chronic liver disease caused by alcohol dependency but was refused PIP
- Tom Pollard, who was formerly seconded from the charity MIND to the Department for Work and Pensions to be its senior mental health policy adviser between 2016 and 2018
- Will Johnstone, policy manager (social policy and rights) from the charity Rethink Mental Illness
- Daphne Hall, the vice chair of the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers and rightsnet editor
- Mark Jackson, policy and public affairs manager at the end of life charity Marie Curie
- The Department for Work and Pensions
- The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland
Partner usage
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to the wider news industry as part of the 大象传媒 Local News Partnership. Stories written by partners based on this research included:
- Birmingham World: 24 September 2021
- Bolton Journal: REVEALED: Over 7,000 disabled people beat 'unfair' attempts to stop benefits 24 September 2021
- The Bolton News: 24 September 2021
- Bristol Live: 24 September 2021
- Bury Times: 24 September 2021
- Glasgow World: 24 September 2021
- Hampshire Chronicle: 24 September 2021
- Isle of Wight County Press: 24 September 2021
- Lancashire Telegraph: REVEALED: More than 7,000 disabled people beat 'unfair' benefit stoppages 24 September 2021
- Leicestershire Live: 24 September 2021
- Liverpool World: 24 September 2021
- London World: 24 September 2021
- Manchester World: 24 September 2021
- Nottinghamshire Live: 24 September 2021
- Scotland: The Daily Record: 24 September 2021
- Scotland: Evening Express: 24 September 2021
- Scotland: The Press and Journal: 24 September 2021
- Somerset Live: 24 September 2021
- Northern Ireland: View Digital: 24 September 2021
The story featured on 大象传媒 Northern Ireland online, 大象传媒 Radio Wales and it was also reported by 大象传媒 local radio stations covering Nottingham, Wiltshire, Humberside and Leeds.
Other usage
- The Mirror: 24 September 2021
- Wales Online: 24 September 2021