7, 036 working-age adults in Ipswich claim PIP, figures show

Analysis of figures published on September 15 by the Department of Work and Pensions shows that nearly one in ten adults in Ipswich claim PIP as of July 31, 2026.

The Ipswich constituency had the second-highest percentage of PIP claimants in the county just shy of 10%, with 7,036 claimants.

More than 7, 000 working-age adults in Suffolk are claiming PIP (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Lowestoft was first with 13.1% of adults claiming PIP, a total of 7,072 claimants.

In Central Suffolk and North Ipswich constituency, 3,744 adults claim PIP, making up 6.6%.

The total number of working-age adults in Suffolk claiming PIP is 39,061.

PIP is the main benefit paid to people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities, intended to help with everyday tasks and extra living costs.

Working-age adults, defined as between 16 and 64 years old, make up the vast majority of all claims, at 83%.

Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions also show the number of people relying on disability benefits has soared.

A total of 4.09 million people in England and Wales were entitled to PIP at the end of July.

There were 268,965 people receiving PIP who were classed as having autistic spectrum disorders this July, compared with 79,395 in January 2019, an increase of more than three times.

Psychiatric disorders are the most common disability category, with 1.60 million claimants - just shy of 40% of the total.

Claims for anxiety and depressive disorders rose from 171,833 in January 2019 to 442,666 in July.

Claims for hyperkinetic disorders, including ADHD or ADD, have also increased dramatically, from 23,741 in January 2019 to 106,087.