The rise of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) “sickfluencers” is changing the landscape for those applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as claims surge dramatically. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Labour Party government data reveals that monthly PIP recipients of working age have more than doubled, increasing from 15,300 to 35,100.
Young adults aged 16 to 24 are driving this trend, with reports of disabilities in this group doubling from 8% to 18% over the past decade. Correspondingly, the number of young people filing PIP claims has skyrocketed from 2,967 to 7,857 each month.
Among these sickfluencers is social media content creator Liz Jones, known as “PIP Angel,” who shares her expertise by selling downloadable PDF guides containing detailed scripts for claimants to follow. Her most popular guide, The Complete Disability Assessment Prep, costs £5.99. Despite criticism, Liz insists she does not encourage anyone to “scam the system.”
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Another content creator, Sara Middleton, has faced accusations of “hacking the system” by sharing tips online. She defends her content by stating, “All I’m trying to do is educate. I’m helping people stand up for themselves and get what they need, but their evidence has to support their claims.”
YouTuber Charlie Anderson, who boasts 451,000 views on his video “Unlock The Secret Steps For Winning Your PIP Claims,” claims a perfect track record, saying: “I have a 100% success rate at winning PIP claims because of my deep understanding of the points system.”
However, this growing trend raises concerns. Reform MP Lee Anderson warns that such practices could amount to “fraud on an industrial scale,” highlighting the rise in diagnoses like ADHD in certain areas. He advocates for stricter measures including mandatory face-to-face interviews and having DWP officials complete all application forms.
Responding to the controversy, a DWP spokesperson condemned those charging applicants for assistance and exploiting the system for profit. “We condemn those who charge people for help with PIP applications and exploit our system for financial gain. Actively promoting, encouraging, or assisting fraudulent claims steals money from taxpayers and those who genuinely need it. It is a criminal offence punishable by up to ten years in prison. If you know someone is abusing the system, report it.”