# Benefit fraud, error and wrongly refused claims: both directions

url: https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/benefit-fraud-error-and-appeals/
updated: 29 September 2026
licence: Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Figures: each source's own licence, listed under Sources.
publisher: [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk)

# Benefit fraud, error and wrongly refused claims: both directions



Last updated 29 September 2026.
Figures refresh every night. [How each figure is worked out](/methodology/).





DWP estimates that **3.2%** of benefit spending (**£9.9bn**) was overpaid in 2025-26, £6.8bn of it through fraud, and 0.4% (£1.2bn) underpaid through official error. A further £3.7bn was not paid because claimants did not give DWP information that would have raised their award. An estimated £2.1bn of Pension Credit went unclaimed in 2023-24. At tribunal, 59.7% of benefit appeals decided at a hearing in 2025-26 went in the claimant’s favour.



Figure as of 14 May 2026. Source:
[Department for Work and Pensions](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0301e44fb0713aa63ea797/financial-year-ending-2026-estimates.ods), [Department for Work and Pensions](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2024), [Ministry of Justice](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa18eb1c5796a7a179c658d/Tribunals_Statistics_Quarterly_Main_Tables_Q1_2026_27.ods).





## Key figures



- £9.9bnOverpaid, 2025-26 (3.2% of spending)

£9.4bn in 2024-25
As of 14 May 2026
- £6.8bnOf which fraud, 2025-26


As of 14 May 2026
- £4.9bnUnderpaid or not paid to people entitled, 2025-26

Official error plus unfulfilled eligibility
As of 14 May 2026
- £2.1bnPension Credit unclaimed, 2023-24


As of 30 October 2025
- 66.2%PIP appeals decided in the claimant’s favour at a hearing, 2025-26


As of 10 September 2026




Sources: [Department for Work and Pensions](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0301e44fb0713aa63ea797/financial-year-ending-2026-estimates.ods), [Ministry of Justice](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa18eb1c5796a7a179c658d/Tribunals_Statistics_Quarterly_Main_Tables_Q1_2026_27.ods).





## What is the short version?



- **Estimates, not prosecutions:** fraud and error figures come from reviewing a sample of claims each year. They are not counts of people caught or convicted, which are shown separately.
- **Both directions:** people are overpaid and underpaid, and some who are entitled never claim. All three are measured here on the same basis where DWP publishes it.
- **Appeals are a different measure:** a decision changed at tribunal can reflect new evidence as well as a wrong first decision.






## The four numbers side by side



For each of the main benefits: what DWP estimates was paid out through fraud, what it paid in error itself,
what people were underpaid, and, where DWP estimates it, what people entitled to the benefit never claimed.
Appeals are in the table under the chart.




**Fraud, official error, underpayment and unclaimed money by benefit, 2025-26, £ million**








Unclaimed amounts are DWP take-up estimates for 2023-24 and exist only for Pension Credit and pensioners’ Housing Benefit. Appeals decided in the claimant’s favour are in the table below: they are counted in decisions, not pounds.




**The numbers behind this chart**





| Item | Fraud | Official error (overpaid) | Underpaid (official and claimant error) | Unclaimed by people entitled |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Universal CreditDetails | £5,420m | £610m | £1,640m | — |
| Official error (overpaid)£610mUnderpaid (official and claimant error)£1,640mUnclaimed by people entitled— | | | | |
| Personal Independence PaymentDetails | £410m | £50m | £1,020m | — |
| Official error (overpaid)£50mUnderpaid (official and claimant error)£1,020mUnclaimed by people entitled— | | | | |
| State PensionDetails | — | £60m | £440m | — |
| Official error (overpaid)£60mUnderpaid (official and claimant error)£440mUnclaimed by people entitled— | | | | |
| Pension CreditDetails | £210m | £120m | £210m | £2,140m |
| Official error (overpaid)£120mUnderpaid (official and claimant error)£210mUnclaimed by people entitled£2,140m | | | | |
| Housing BenefitDetails | £460m | £60m | £170m | £880m |
| Official error (overpaid)£60mUnderpaid (official and claimant error)£170mUnclaimed by people entitled£880m | | | | |
| Employment and Support AllowanceDetails | £100m | £20m | £180m | — |
| Official error (overpaid)£20mUnderpaid (official and claimant error)£180mUnclaimed by people entitled— | | | | |






Figure as of 14 May 2026. Source:
[Department for Work and Pensions](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0301e44fb0713aa63ea797/financial-year-ending-2026-estimates.ods), [Department for Work and Pensions](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0c3316229555d0fe8267ee/data-tables-UE-in-the-benefit-system-fye-2026-ods.ods), [Department for Work and Pensions](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2024).






| Benefit | Fraud | Official error, overpaid | Underpaid | Appeals won by the claimant |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Universal CreditDetails | £5.4bn | £610m | £1.6bn | 46.4% (6,672, 2025-26) |
| Official error, overpaid£610mUnderpaid£1.6bnAppeals won by the claimant46.4% (6,672, 2025-26) | | | | |
| Personal Independence PaymentDetails | £410m | £50m | £1.0bn | 66.2% (32,888, 2025-26) |
| Official error, overpaid£50mUnderpaid£1.0bnAppeals won by the claimant66.2% (32,888, 2025-26) | | | | |
| State PensionDetails | not published | £60m | £440m | Not reported separately |
| Official error, overpaid£60mUnderpaid£440mAppeals won by the claimantNot reported separately | | | | |
| Pension CreditDetails | £210m | £120m | £210m | Not reported separately |
| Official error, overpaid£120mUnderpaid£210mAppeals won by the claimantNot reported separately | | | | |
| Housing BenefitDetails | £460m | £60m | £170m | 26.6% (238, 2025-26) |
| Official error, overpaid£60mUnderpaid£170mAppeals won by the claimant26.6% (238, 2025-26) | | | | |
| Employment and Support AllowanceDetails | £100m | £20m | £180m | 44.3% (948, 2025-26) |
| Official error, overpaid£20mUnderpaid£180mAppeals won by the claimant44.3% (948, 2025-26) | | | | |







## Overpayments and underpayments over time




**Benefit overpaid and underpaid, % of spending, all benefits**








DWP changed its methods over time, marked by breaks in its tables around 2020-21 as Universal Credit grew. Since 2022-23 underpayments caused by claimants are published separately as unfulfilled eligibility.




**The numbers behind this chart**





| Year | Overpaid (fraud and error) | Of which fraud | Underpaid (official error) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2005-06Details | 2.1% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud0.6%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2006-07Details | 2.2% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud0.6%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2007-08Details | 2.0% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud0.6%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2008-09Details | 2.2% | 0.8% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud0.8%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2009-10Details | 2.2% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud0.8%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2010-11Details | 2.1% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud0.8%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2011-12Details | 2.1% | 0.7% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud0.7%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2012-13Details | 2.1% | 0.7% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud0.7%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2013-14Details | 2.1% | 0.7% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud0.7%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2014-15Details | 1.8% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud0.8%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2015-16Details | 1.9% | 1.1% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud1.1%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2016-17Details | 2.0% | 1.2% | 0.3% |
| Of which fraud1.2%Underpaid (official error)0.3% | | | |
| 2017-18Details | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud1.2%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2018-19Details | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud1.1%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2019-20Details | 2.4% | 1.4% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud1.4%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2020-21Details | 3.9% | 2.9% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud2.9%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2021-22Details | 4.0% | 3.0% | 0.5% |
| Of which fraud3.0%Underpaid (official error)0.5% | | | |
| 2022-23Details | 3.6% | 2.7% | 0.5% |
| Of which fraud2.7%Underpaid (official error)0.5% | | | |
| 2023-24Details | 3.6% | 2.7% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud2.7%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2024-25Details | 3.3% | 2.2% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud2.2%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |
| 2025-26Details | 3.2% | 2.2% | 0.4% |
| Of which fraud2.2%Underpaid (official error)0.4% | | | |






Figure as of 14 May 2026. Source:
[Department for Work and Pensions](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0301e44fb0713aa63ea797/financial-year-ending-2026-estimates.ods).






| Benefit | Overpaid | Fraud | Claimant error | Official error | Underpaid |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All BenefitsDetails | 3.2% (3.0% to 3.5%) | 2.2% | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Fraud2.2%Claimant error0.6%Official error0.4%Underpaid0.4% | | | | | |
| Universal CreditDetails | 8.5% (7.7% to 9.4%) | 6.8% | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.4% |
| Fraud6.8%Claimant error0.9%Official error0.8%Underpaid0.4% | | | | | |
| State PensionDetails | 0.2% (0.1% to 0.3%) | not published | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Fraudnot publishedClaimant error0.1%Official error0.0%Underpaid0.3% | | | | | |
| Personal Independence PaymentDetails | 2.3% (1.6% to 3.2%) | 1.4% | 0.7% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Fraud1.4%Claimant error0.7%Official error0.2%Underpaid0.2% | | | | | |
| Housing BenefitDetails | 6.2% (5.6% to 6.8%) | 3.6% | 2.1% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Fraud3.6%Claimant error2.1%Official error0.5%Underpaid0.3% | | | | | |
| Disability Living AllowanceDetails | 0.9% (0.6% to 1.2%) | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 2.3% |
| Fraud0.2%Claimant error0.3%Official error0.4%Underpaid2.3% | | | | | |
| Pension CreditDetails | 10.0% (8.8% to 11.3%) | 3.5% | 4.6% | 2.0% | 1.3% |
| Fraud3.5%Claimant error4.6%Official error2.0%Underpaid1.3% | | | | | |
| Attendance AllowanceDetails | 2.2% (0.8% to 3.8%) | not published | 1.9% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Fraudnot publishedClaimant error1.9%Official error0.3%Underpaid0.1% | | | | | |
| Employment and Support AllowanceDetails | 3.4% (2.0% to 4.9%) | 1.5% | 1.6% | 0.4% | 1.1% |
| Fraud1.5%Claimant error1.6%Official error0.4%Underpaid1.1% | | | | | |
| Carer's AllowanceDetails | 3.9% (1.3% to 6.5%) | 2.5% | 1.0% | 0.5% | not published |
| Fraud2.5%Claimant error1.0%Official error0.5%Underpaidnot published | | | | | |
| Jobseeker's AllowanceDetails | 4.6% (2.0% to 7.1%) | 3.1% | 0.3% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Fraud3.1%Claimant error0.3%Official error1.2%Underpaid1.2% | | | | | |
| Income Support TotalDetails | 3.9% (2.4% to 5.4%) | 2.4% | 1.0% | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Fraud2.4%Claimant error1.0%Official error0.4%Underpaid0.3% | | | | | |
| Incapacity BenefitDetails | 2.4% (1.1% to 3.7%) | 0.3% | 0.9% | 1.2% | 0.7% |
| Fraud0.3%Claimant error0.9%Official error1.2%Underpaid0.7% | | | | | |





Source: Department for Work and Pensions, [Fraud and error in the benefit system, FYE 2026 estimates](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0301e44fb0713aa63ea797/financial-year-ending-2026-estimates.ods), published 14 May 2026; Department for Work and Pensions, [Unfulfilled eligibility in the benefit system, FYE 2026 estimates](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0c3316229555d0fe8267ee/data-tables-UE-in-the-benefit-system-fye-2026-ods.ods), published 14 May 2026.





## Child Benefit and tax credits (HMRC)



HMRC runs Child Benefit and ran tax credits until they closed in April 2025. Its annual statistics series on
tax credits error and fraud ended with 2021-22; later figures are in its annual report.




**Tax credits paid in error or through fraud, % of entitlement**










**The numbers behind this chart**





| Year | In the claimant’s favour | In HMRC’s favour |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2006-07Details | 7.8% | 1.7% |
| In HMRC’s favour1.7% | | |
| 2007-08Details | 9.0% | 1.3% |
| In HMRC’s favour1.3% | | |
| 2008-09Details | 8.9% | 1.1% |
| In HMRC’s favour1.1% | | |
| 2009-10Details | 7.8% | 1.4% |
| In HMRC’s favour1.4% | | |
| 2010-11Details | 8.1% | 0.8% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.8% | | |
| 2011-12Details | 7.3% | 0.9% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.9% | | |
| 2012-13Details | 5.3% | 0.5% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.5% | | |
| 2013-14Details | 4.7% | 0.7% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.7% | | |
| 2014-15Details | 4.4% | 0.6% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.6% | | |
| 2015-16Details | 4.8% | 0.6% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.6% | | |
| 2016-17Details | 4.7% | 0.7% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.7% | | |
| 2017-18Details | 5.5% | 0.7% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.7% | | |
| 2018-19Details | 4.9% | 0.7% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.7% | | |
| 2019-20Details | 5.3% | 0.9% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.9% | | |
| 2020-21Details | 4.7% | 0.8% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.8% | | |
| 2021-22Details | 4.5% | 0.4% |
| In HMRC’s favour0.4% | | |






Figure as of 22 June 2023. Source:
[HM Revenue and Customs](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66152e72eb8a1bb45e05e2d0/Annex_B_Historical_error_and_fraud_rates_since_2006_to_2007.ods).






| Measure | Estimate | Range | Year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Child Benefit overpaid through error and fraudDetails | 2.0% | 1.5% to 2.5% | 2025-26 |
| Range1.5% to 2.5%Year2025-26 | | | |
| Child Benefit overpaid through error and fraudDetails | £270m | £200m to £335m | 2025-26 |
| Range£200m to £335mYear2025-26 | | | |
| Tax credits overpaid through error and fraud (the last year measured)Details | 4.2% | 4.0% to 4.5% | 2024-25 |
| Range4.0% to 4.5%Year2024-25 | | | |
| Tax credits underpaid through error (the last year measured)Details | 0.8% | 0.6% to 0.9% | 2024-25 |
| Range0.6% to 0.9%Year2024-25 | | | |







## Prosecutions and penalties: a separate count



The estimates above say how much money went to the wrong place. They are not counts of anyone caught. DWP
reports the cases it took action on in its annual report:





| Measure | Number or amount | Year | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Benefit fraud cases judged suitable for prosecution by the CPS or Procurator FiscalDetails | 673 | 2025-26 | Referrals accepted for prosecution, not convictions. From 13,081 claims reviewed by fraud investigators. |
| Year2025-26NoteReferrals accepted for prosecution, not convictions. From 13,081 claims reviewed by fraud investigators. | | | |
| Administrative penalties (an alternative to prosecution)Details | 68 | 2025-26 | DWP is also removing and refunding 197 administrative penalties issued in 2023-24 and 2024-25. |
| Year2025-26NoteDWP is also removing and refunding 197 administrative penalties issued in 2023-24 and 2024-25. | | | |
| Civil penalties for failing to report a change or giving incorrect informationDetails | 10,118 | 2025-26 | |
| Year2025-26 | | | |
| Benefit debt recovered, all causesDetails | £3.0bn | 2025-26 | 68% through deductions from benefit. Debt owed to DWP was £11.6 billion in March 2026. |
| Year2025-26Note68% through deductions from benefit. Debt owed to DWP was £11.6 billion in March 2026. | | | |







## Underpayments found and repaid



Where DWP has found that it underpaid a group of people over years, it has run exercises to find them and pay
arrears. These are counts of money actually repaid, not estimates.





| Exercise | Repaid | Period | Who and how many |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| State Pension underpayments repaid: married women, widows and people over 80 who were paid too littleDetails | £880m | January 2021 to March 2026 | To about 135,000 pensioners. The exercise is closed. DWP's last progress release, to March 2025, counted 130,948 underpayments and £804.7 million. |
| PeriodJanuary 2021 to March 2026Who and how manyTo about 135,000 pensioners. The exercise is closed. DWP's last progress release, to March 2025, counted 130,948 underpayments and £804.7 million. | | | |
| State Pension underpayments from missing Home Responsibilities ProtectionDetails | £111m | January 2024 to March 2026 | About £104 million to 12,379 people to March 2025, and about £7 million more in 2025-26. |
| PeriodJanuary 2024 to March 2026Who and how manyAbout £104 million to 12,379 people to March 2025, and about £7 million more in 2025-26. | | | |
| Employment and Support Allowance underpayments after conversion from older benefitsDetails | £613m | Exercise completed June 2021 | 118,000 people qualified for arrears after 600,000 cases were checked. |
| PeriodExercise completed June 2021Who and how many118,000 people qualified for arrears after 600,000 cases were checked. | | | |
| Employment and Support Allowance underpayments of the severe disability premiumDetails | £562m | Exercise completed by December 2025 | 44,900 awards. |
| PeriodExercise completed by December 2025Who and how many44,900 awards. | | | |







## Money left unclaimed



DWP estimates how many people entitled to Pension Credit and pensioners’ Housing Benefit do not claim, and
what they miss. Estimates for Universal Credit are due for the first time on 22 October 2026.





| Benefit | People entitled who claim | Entitled but not claiming | Unclaimed a year | Fraud in the same benefit |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pension Credit, 2023-24Details | 62% (59 to 64) | 820,000 | £2.1bn (£1.8bn to £2.5bn) | £210m (2025-26) |
| Entitled but not claiming820,000Unclaimed a year£2.1bn (£1.8bn to £2.5bn)Fraud in the same benefit£210m (2025-26) | | | | |
| Housing Benefit (pensioners), 2023-24Details | 85% (83 to 88) | 190,000 | £880m (£680m to £1.1bn) | £230m (2025-26) |
| Entitled but not claiming190,000Unclaimed a year£880m (£680m to £1.1bn)Fraud in the same benefit£230m (2025-26) | | | | |





Source: Department for Work and Pensions, [Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up, financial year ending 2024](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2024), published 30 October 2025.





## Decisions changed on reconsideration or appeal



Someone refused a benefit can ask DWP to look again (a mandatory reconsideration) and then appeal to an
independent tribunal. The share of decisions changed shows how often the first decision did not stand; it
does not by itself show the first decision was wrong, because tribunals often see new evidence.




**Benefit appeals decided at a hearing in the claimant’s favour, %**








Ministry of Justice, April to June 2026. Scotland replaced PIP with Adult Disability Payment from 2022, whose appeals are not in these figures. The latest year can be revised.




**The numbers behind this chart**





| Year | All benefits | Personal Independence Payment | Universal Credit | Employment and Support Allowance |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2013-14Details | 39.5% | 25.9% | 0.0% | 44.3% |
| Personal Independence Payment25.9%Universal Credit0.0%Employment and Support Allowance44.3% | | | | |
| 2014-15Details | 46.7% | 50.0% | 22.2% | 54.4% |
| Personal Independence Payment50.0%Universal Credit22.2%Employment and Support Allowance54.4% | | | | |
| 2015-16Details | 55.1% | 60.8% | 43.6% | 57.9% |
| Personal Independence Payment60.8%Universal Credit43.6%Employment and Support Allowance57.9% | | | | |
| 2016-17Details | 61.4% | 65.0% | 43.7% | 65.3% |
| Personal Independence Payment65.0%Universal Credit43.7%Employment and Support Allowance65.3% | | | | |
| 2017-18Details | 64.5% | 67.9% | 48.6% | 68.4% |
| Personal Independence Payment67.9%Universal Credit48.6%Employment and Support Allowance68.4% | | | | |
| 2018-19Details | 69.1% | 73.2% | 58.0% | 72.9% |
| Personal Independence Payment73.2%Universal Credit58.0%Employment and Support Allowance72.9% | | | | |
| 2019-20Details | 72.0% | 76.6% | 64.1% | 77.5% |
| Personal Independence Payment76.6%Universal Credit64.1%Employment and Support Allowance77.5% | | | | |
| 2020-21Details | 70.2% | 75.9% | 61.2% | 75.7% |
| Personal Independence Payment75.9%Universal Credit61.2%Employment and Support Allowance75.7% | | | | |
| 2021-22Details | 61.3% | 70.1% | 47.6% | 58.6% |
| Personal Independence Payment70.1%Universal Credit47.6%Employment and Support Allowance58.6% | | | | |
| 2022-23Details | 62.4% | 69.2% | 52.8% | 52.5% |
| Personal Independence Payment69.2%Universal Credit52.8%Employment and Support Allowance52.5% | | | | |
| 2023-24Details | 63.5% | 70.4% | 53.4% | 48.8% |
| Personal Independence Payment70.4%Universal Credit53.4%Employment and Support Allowance48.8% | | | | |
| 2024-25Details | 60.9% | 69.1% | 50.3% | 47.8% |
| Personal Independence Payment69.1%Universal Credit50.3%Employment and Support Allowance47.8% | | | | |
| 2025-26Details | 59.7% | 66.2% | 46.4% | 44.3% |
| Personal Independence Payment66.2%Universal Credit46.4%Employment and Support Allowance44.3% | | | | |






Figure as of 10 September 2026. Source:
[Ministry of Justice](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa18eb1c5796a7a179c658d/Tribunals_Statistics_Quarterly_Main_Tables_Q1_2026_27.ods).





**Benefit appeals received, by benefit**










**The numbers behind this chart**





| Year | All benefits | Personal Independence Payment | Universal Credit | Employment and Support Allowance |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2013-14Details | 401,896 | 1,017 | 7 | 232,630 |
| Personal Independence Payment1,017Universal Credit7Employment and Support Allowance232,630 | | | | |
| 2014-15Details | 112,082 | 20,899 | 86 | 43,136 |
| Personal Independence Payment20,899Universal Credit86Employment and Support Allowance43,136 | | | | |
| 2015-16Details | 157,145 | 61,529 | 719 | 56,110 |
| Personal Independence Payment61,529Universal Credit719Employment and Support Allowance56,110 | | | | |
| 2016-17Details | 228,604 | 104,205 | 1,686 | 87,857 |
| Personal Independence Payment104,205Universal Credit1,686Employment and Support Allowance87,857 | | | | |
| 2017-18Details | 238,803 | 112,746 | 6,308 | 87,308 |
| Personal Independence Payment112,746Universal Credit6,308Employment and Support Allowance87,308 | | | | |
| 2018-19Details | 195,506 | 104,652 | 11,696 | 49,813 |
| Personal Independence Payment104,652Universal Credit11,696Employment and Support Allowance49,813 | | | | |
| 2019-20Details | 162,101 | 94,745 | 23,578 | 20,998 |
| Personal Independence Payment94,745Universal Credit23,578Employment and Support Allowance20,998 | | | | |
| 2020-21Details | 93,303 | 64,075 | 11,812 | 2,867 |
| Personal Independence Payment64,075Universal Credit11,812Employment and Support Allowance2,867 | | | | |
| 2021-22Details | 95,058 | 58,333 | 16,473 | 4,696 |
| Personal Independence Payment58,333Universal Credit16,473Employment and Support Allowance4,696 | | | | |
| 2022-23Details | 137,212 | 92,242 | 23,712 | 5,835 |
| Personal Independence Payment92,242Universal Credit23,712Employment and Support Allowance5,835 | | | | |
| 2023-24Details | 136,903 | 89,380 | 25,290 | 6,163 |
| Personal Independence Payment89,380Universal Credit25,290Employment and Support Allowance6,163 | | | | |
| 2024-25Details | 132,965 | 85,070 | 25,280 | 4,716 |
| Personal Independence Payment85,070Universal Credit25,280Employment and Support Allowance4,716 | | | | |
| 2025-26Details | 145,815 | 86,857 | 31,893 | 3,587 |
| Personal Independence Payment86,857Universal Credit31,893Employment and Support Allowance3,587 | | | | |






Figure as of 10 September 2026. Source:
[Ministry of Justice](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa18eb1c5796a7a179c658d/Tribunals_Statistics_Quarterly_Main_Tables_Q1_2026_27.ods).






| Year | Mean wait |
| --- | --- |
| 2017-18 | 23 weeks |
| 2018-19 | 29 weeks |
| 2019-20 | 31 weeks |
| 2020-21 | 32 weeks |
| 2021-22 | 33 weeks |
| 2022-23 | 27 weeks |
| 2023-24 | 27 weeks |
| 2024-25 | 32 weeks |
| 2025-26 | 35 weeks |







| Year | Reconsiderations | Award changed | Appeals lodged | Overturned at hearing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2013-14Details | 7,910 | 24% | 2,170 | 50% |
| Award changed24%Appeals lodged2,170Overturned at hearing50% | | | | |
| 2014-15Details | 80,790 | 20% | 26,630 | 60% |
| Award changed20%Appeals lodged26,630Overturned at hearing60% | | | | |
| 2015-16Details | 117,480 | 14% | 46,060 | 65% |
| Award changed14%Appeals lodged46,060Overturned at hearing65% | | | | |
| 2016-17Details | 173,580 | 15% | 72,510 | 67% |
| Award changed15%Appeals lodged72,510Overturned at hearing67% | | | | |
| 2017-18Details | 152,160 | 14% | 66,570 | 70% |
| Award changed14%Appeals lodged66,570Overturned at hearing70% | | | | |
| 2018-19Details | 140,780 | 18% | 57,750 | 73% |
| Award changed18%Appeals lodged57,750Overturned at hearing73% | | | | |
| 2019-20Details | 139,400 | 29% | 48,520 | 74% |
| Award changed29%Appeals lodged48,520Overturned at hearing74% | | | | |
| 2020-21Details | 109,760 | 38% | 31,190 | 67% |
| Award changed38%Appeals lodged31,190Overturned at hearing67% | | | | |
| 2021-22Details | 132,940 | 26% | 43,730 | 69% |
| Award changed26%Appeals lodged43,730Overturned at hearing69% | | | | |
| 2022-23Details | 153,050 | 12% | 57,940 | 68% |
| Award changed12%Appeals lodged57,940Overturned at hearing68% | | | | |
| 2023-24Details | 144,150 | 12% | 51,560 | 64% |
| Award changed12%Appeals lodged51,560Overturned at hearing64% | | | | |
| 2024-25Details | 146,750 | 11% | 47,620 | 60% |
| Award changed11%Appeals lodged47,620Overturned at hearing60% | | | | |
| 2025-26Details | 144,440 | 15% | 46,060 | 52% |
| Award changed15%Appeals lodged46,060Overturned at hearing52% | | | | |





Appeal outcomes for the latest year are still coming in: appeals lodged late in the year have not all been heard.



Source: Ministry of Justice, [Tribunals statistics quarterly, April to June 2026: Social Security and Child Support tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa18eb1c5796a7a179c658d/Tribunals_Statistics_Quarterly_Main_Tables_Q1_2026_27.ods), published 10 September 2026; Department for Work and Pensions, [Personal Independence Payment statistics to July 2026: table 5B(i)](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa2a45692e72b8ac437f0ef/final_pip_tables_sep26_england_and_wales.xlsx), published 15 September 2026.





## The auditor’s view



This is the 38th consecutive year in which I have qualified my regularity opinion on the Department’s accounts due to material levels of fraud and error in benefit expenditure.

National Audit Office, [Report on the Department for Work and Pensions accounts 2025-26](https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/department-for-work-and-pensions-accounts-2025-26/), 9 July 2026

The Comptroller and Auditor General qualified his opinion on DWP’s accounts because of the level of fraud and error. The NAO quotes overpayments of 6.0% of benefit spending excluding the State Pension, a different basis from the 3.2% of all benefit spending in DWP’s statistics.





## What each side says




### Where should the effort go: stopping fraud, or getting decisions right?





### Those who call for tougher action on fraud and overpayments



- The powers granted through the Bill will allow us to better identify, prevent and deter fraud and error, and enable the better recovery of debt owed to the taxpayer. Andrew Western, Minister, Department for Work and Pensions ([2 December 2025](https://wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Fraudsters+face+tougher+action+as+Government+gains+new+powers+to+tackle+benefit+fraud+03122025142000?open=))
- Ministers need to prevent overpayments in the first place and get a grip on Britain’s ballooning benefits bill. John O’Connell, Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance ([2 September 2026](https://www.gbnews.com/money/dwp-writes-off-benefit-overpayments)) As quoted by GB News.
- Working people who pay their taxes in full, every time, will rightly ask why their money is disappearing into the hands of people who aren’t entitled to it Helen Whately, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Conservative Party ([2 September 2026](https://www.gbnews.com/money/dwp-writes-off-benefit-overpayments)) As quoted by GB News.





### Those who stress wrongly refused claims and safeguards for claimants



- Crucially, too many people are incorrectly rejected and have to fight through an appeals process before receiving the help they need. Citizens Advice ([28 May 2026](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publications/citizens-advice-response-to-the-timms-review-call-for-evidence/))
- We all want genuine fraudsters to face the law, especially the multi-millionaire tax avoiders and Covid scammers. Silkie Carlo, Director, Big Brother Watch ([22 January 2025](https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/press-releases/big-brother-watch-response-to-intrusive-powers-in-the-public-authorities-fraud-error-recovery-bill/))






Views are attributed to the people and organisations named, with the date and a link to where they said it. This site takes no side.






## What these figures do and don't show



- Fraud and error figures are modelled estimates from a sample of claims reviewed each year, with confidence intervals. They are not counts of prosecutions, convictions or proven cases.
- Some benefits are not reviewed every year; DWP carries forward their last measured rate.
- A decision overturned at tribunal can reflect new evidence or a change in circumstances as well as a wrong first decision.
- Take-up figures are estimates from a household survey and are published as ranges.
- The National Audit Office quotes overpayments excluding the State Pension (6.0% in 2025-26), a different basis from DWP’s rate for all benefits; the two should not be compared directly.
- Figures cover Great Britain. Nothing on this page describes or characterises the people who claim.






## Sources for this page





| Source | Publisher | Figures as of | Updated | Licence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Fraud and error in the benefit system, FYE 2026 estimates](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0301e44fb0713aa63ea797/financial-year-ending-2026-estimates.ods) | Department for Work and Pensions | 14 May 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up, financial year ending 2024](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2024) | Department for Work and Pensions | 30 October 2025 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Tribunals statistics quarterly, April to June 2026: Social Security and Child Support tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa18eb1c5796a7a179c658d/Tribunals_Statistics_Quarterly_Main_Tables_Q1_2026_27.ods) | Ministry of Justice | 10 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Unfulfilled eligibility in the benefit system, FYE 2026 estimates](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0c3316229555d0fe8267ee/data-tables-UE-in-the-benefit-system-fye-2026-ods.ods) | Department for Work and Pensions | 14 May 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Child and Working Tax Credits error and fraud statistics 2021 to 2022, Annex B](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66152e72eb8a1bb45e05e2d0/Annex_B_Historical_error_and_fraud_rates_since_2006_to_2007.ods) | HM Revenue and Customs | 22 June 2023 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |





Each source's figures are used under the licence shown. Our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations
are ours, under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

## Related pages

- [Next in this section: Benefits by area](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/benefits-by-area/)
- [How much public money is lost to fraud, error and write-offs?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/fraud-error-and-write-offs/)
- [How much are HMRC penalties and interest, and how much do they raise?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/hmrc-penalties-and-interest/)
- [What does council tax pay for, and what doesn’t it pay for?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/what-council-tax-pays-for/)

## More from this publisher

- [UK tax calculators](https://howlongisit.co.uk)

Published by [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). The figures belong to the publishers listed under Sources and are used under their licences. Figures last updated 29 September 2026.