Almost 60,000 people who submitted a claim for state disability benefits in 2020 were still awaiting a decision four months into this year.
This accounted for 10% of cases submitted last year, according to figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It revealed that at 30 April 2021 (the latest available data) 59,000 initial claims for Personal Independence Payment registered in 2020 were still awaiting clearance.
This included new claims to PIP and reassessments from Disability Living Allowance to PIP, and was 10% of the 614,000 initial claims for PIP registered in 2020.
The release followed a question by Labour MP for North Tyneside Mary Glindon, who asked ministers how many disabled people who first claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2020 were waiting for their claim to be processed.
Minister for disabled people, health and work Justin Tomlinson (pictured) responded: “We are committed to ensuring that people can access financial support through PIP in a timely manner.
“We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all available evidence. We are currently operating within expected levels.”