Almost 100,000 social security claimants are waiting for their appeals to be heard, according to His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), an increase of 25% over the preceding year. Success rates for claimants have fallen in relation to all the main benefits.
The latest statistics cover the period October to December 2025
The number of appeals lodged has increased by 12%, to 38,000, whilst the number dealt with has decreased by 26%. This means there are currently 99,000 cases waiting to be heard.
The highest number of appeals lodged in the quarter was in relation to PIP:
- PIP 22,394 appeals lodged
- UC 8,714 appeals lodged
- DLA 2,592 appeals lodged
- ESA 882 appeals lodged
There has been a 35% increase in the number of UC appeals, a 4% increase in PIP appeals and a 64% increase in DLA appeals.
PIP appeals account for 59% of all appeals and UC 21%.
Of the 22,000 cases cleared in the quarter, 66% were cleared at a hearing compared to 60% in the preceding year. This means a higher proportion of claimants are having to go all the way to a tribunal rather than the DWP settling the case before it reaches a hearing.
58% of appeals were won by the claimant, a fall of 2% compared to the year before.
- PIP 64%, down 3%
- DLA 59%, down 2%
- UC 48%, down 1%
- ESA 42%, down 11%
