Two thirds of new claimants for PIP turned down.

FOR INFORMATION ONLY :

Almost two thirds of new claimants assessed for the Government’s re-designed disability benefit have been turned down, official figures show.

A total of 220,300 new claims have been registered for the benefit — the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) since it was introduced last April.

But of those, only 34,200 have so far gone for a decision, with 12,654 — just 37 per cent — eventually approved.

Officials told the Standard that other applicants may have withdrawn their claim before an assessment, or may be still awaiting a decision. The Coalition introduced the PIP as a replacement for Disability Living Allowance

Full story: London Evening Standard