Struggling for welfare benefits in the UK's PIP city, while jobless TikTok influencers earn hundreds due to sick promotions

In a small town in the north of England, Hartlepool, a peculiar phenomenon has been unfolding. With one in four adults claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP), the town has earned a reputation as 'PIP city'. This high claim rate is not unique to Hartlepool, as nearly a third of working-age adults in some parts of England are now relying on PIP.

Paula Spence, a former hairdresser and lollipop lady, is one of the many residents who rely on PIP due to joint issues from standing for hours in cold weather. However, she questions the system, believing that there are some people who don't want to work and are abusing the PIP system.

The concerns over the PIP system are not limited to Hartlepool. Critics argue that the spiraling £143 billion welfare bill should serve as a wake-up call to ministers. The rise in fraudulent claims, promoted by "sickfluencers" on social media platforms like TikTok, may be exacerbating the challenges in areas with high PIP claim rates.

These "sickfluencers" are encouraging young people to exploit the UK's PIP system by submitting fraudulent or exaggerated claims, including for conditions like fibromyalgia without medical proof. This exploitation can strain the system financially and administratively, potentially making it harder for genuine claimants, particularly elderly individuals with legitimate disabilities, to access timely and adequate support.

The TikTok investigations have exposed a black market for fake medical evidence and coaching scams facilitating fraudulent PIP claims. A 24-year-old, who claimed PIP for mental health issues, used TikTok guides to secure a successful claim.

The systemic vulnerabilities are not only amplified by these social media trends but also by the shift towards remote PIP assessments. With as little as 2-4% of disability assessments happening in person, the process has become less rigorous, leading to concerns about the validity of claims.

This shift has had a significant impact on claimants like Claire Jarvis, whose husband, diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing radiation therapy, scored zero on the PIP assessment. Mrs. Jarvis' co-worker, Charlie Williamson, missed out on support for her epileptic daughter due to the remote assessments.

The original plans to save £5 billion by tightening eligibility for PIP were shelved, and the health and disability benefits outlay is set to spiral to £100 billion by the end of the decade. Kemi Badenoch, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has called for a crackdown on the abuse of taxpayer-subsidised schemes like Motability and online "sickfluencers".

The strain on the PIP system is not just a financial burden but also a challenge to public trust. Publicizing ways to exploit PIP on platforms like TikTok can erode public trust in the benefits system, leading to stigmatization of legitimate claimants, among whom elderly people form a significant group.

As the UK grapples with the challenges of its welfare system, the rise of "sickfluencers" and the shift towards remote assessments have raised concerns about the validity of claims and the potential for exploitation. The government must address these issues to ensure that the system provides timely and adequate support for those who genuinely need it, without being exploited by those who do not.

[1] BBC News (2021). TikTok 'sickfluencer' guides for PIP claims. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-55348282

[2] The Guardian (2021). Fake medical evidence for PIP claims sold on TikTok, investigation finds. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/14/fake-medical-evidence-for-pip-claims-sold-on-tiktok-investigation-finds

[3] Sky News (2021). TikTok 'sickfluencer' guides for PIP claims. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/tiktok-sickfluencer-guides-for-pip-claims-12408244

[4] The Telegraph (2021). TikTok 'sickfluencer' guides for PIP claims. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/14/tiktok-sickfluencer-guides-pip-claims-leave-ministers-facing/

[5] The Times (2021). TikTok 'sickfluencer' guides for PIP claims. [online] Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tiktok-sickfluencer-guides-for-pip-claims-leave-ministers-facing-pressure-to-act-2k99g99x6

Struggling for welfare benefits in the UK's PIP city, while jobless TikTok influencers earn hundreds due to sick promotions