Overview
- Official figures show £321 million spent in the year to March, with outlay now far above pre-pandemic levels.
- About 74,190 people received payments last year, averaging roughly £4,000 per claimant, and 38% listed mental health as their primary condition.
- Government guidance allows applications without a formal diagnosis, and grants can reach nearly £70,000 for workplace support and equipment.
- Recent reporting highlights social media posts showing items obtained through the scheme, including noise-cancelling headphones, laptops, and smartwatches.
- DWP says it will investigate any misspent funds and is working with disabled people and organisations to improve the scheme, as approvals reportedly fell even as costs rose.