Disabled teenagers denied benefit on reaching age 16

Nearly one third of teenagers with a disability living in the London boroughs of Camden and Westminster have been denied welfare benefits when they reach 16-years-old, according to a new analysis of government data.

Young people with life-threatening and incurable conditions are among those who have lost income when they transition from the “child” to the “adult” benefit due to a claims process that has been described as “complex, adversarial and difficult to navigate”.

An analysis by the BBC Shared Data Unit found that across Britain an average of 30 percent of those who received child disability living allowance (DLA) had their claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rejected on reaching their 16th birthday.

In the London Borough of Camden nearly 31 percent of claims were refused; in City of Westminster the figure was 28 percent.

Across Britain, those to have had claims rejected since PIP’s introduction in 2013 include thousands of young people living with life-changing conditions such as cancer, blindness, psychosis, deafness and epilepsy.

Think tank the Resolution Foundation said that the denial of the welfare benefit was pushing thousands of people into poverty as they approach adulthood.

The data analysis coincides with Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement for the current benefits’ bill to be reduced further as Work and Pensions secretary Liz Kendal prepares widespread changes and cuts.

James Taylor, executive director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said:

“It’s worrying that such a big number of young disabled people are losing out on financial support as they reach adulthood.

“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled, and benefits like DLA and PIP are an absolute lifeline to help cover those extra costs.

“We know disabled households face hundreds of pounds in extra costs every month. The costs range from things such as equipment, extra support at home and getting out and about, to needing taxis because public transport isn’t suitable.

“Our benefits system is incredibly complex, adversarial and difficult to navigate, so we know the transition from DLA to PIP can be challenging and stressful.

“The new government needs to look into the real reasons behind these figures, and work with disabled people to fix our broken welfare system,” he said.

PIP is a non-means tested benefit that can be claimed even if someone is working and helps meet the extra living costs for those with long-term physical or mental disabilities.

The BBC Shared Data Unit looked at figures for every local authority area between April 2013 and October 2024 to find out how many people were losing benefits when they turned 16 years of age. They found that of the 423,089 applications for PIP that were made, a total of 123,920 (29.3 percent) were disallowed.

The DWP said changes to health and disability benefits will be set out this spring.

A DWP spokesperson said:

 “We have been clear that the current welfare system needs reform.

“Building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, we will bring forward proposals for reforming the health and disability benefits system within weeks, so that it provides children, young adults and their families with the support they need in a way that’s fair on the taxpayer, and helps those who can work secure employment.”

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