Disability benefit claimants received over £4bn less than they were entitled to in 2023-24 increasing the risk of financial hardship for those losing out, watchdog says.
A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has concluded that benefits claimants receive an ‘unacceptably poor level of service’ from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It found that the figure of underpayments has risen to £4bn from £3.5bn in 2022-23, and are highest for those on disability benefits, such as Personal Independent Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
The PAC report also warned that overpayments are on the rise, with £9.5bn of benefit expenditure – excluding State Pension – overpaid in 2023-24 – up from £8.2bn in 2022-23.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, chair of the committee, commented: ‘The British public would be forgiven for thinking the state is AWOL just when it needs it most.’
The DWP has been contacted for comment.
