The DWP pays millions of pounds every year to people who cannot work because of their weight
Obesity is leading to a spike in disability benefits claims, costing taxpayers nearly £144 million since 2019 as more than 5,000 people now get welfare payments due to obesity. Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained by ZAVA from the Department for Work and Pensions reveals that in 2025, 4,413 people are claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for obesity, a rise of 59% from January 2019 (2,780), with an additional 800 receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Nearly 60% of claimants suffering from obesity qualify for the Motability scheme, which enables them to lease vehicles funded by the Government. In 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the number of claimants receiving PIP for obesity (3,093) saw an 11% increase from the previous year’s claims (2,780).
A study by Public Health England (PHE) found that more than 40% of adults in England put on weight during the pandemic, with an average gain of 4.1kg. In 2023. A tribunal ruled that overeating could be a valid reason for scoring PIP points if the issue is associated with a physical or mental health condition.
Obesity has one of the highest success rates for PIP claims, boasting a rate of 78%, significantly above the average of 52%.
Dr Crystal Wyllie from ZAVA said: “Obesity is an epidemic across the world, but within the UK, we can see a natural link to unemployment, with 4,413 UK residents claiming PIP for obesity. A recent Gallup poll demonstrated that the longer an individual is unemployed, the higher the rates of obesity, reaching up to 32.7% after one year of unemployment.
“Tackling obesity from the top down is key here with changes to policies, healthcare initiatives, and food regulation across the nation. The recent restrictions on multibuy deals for unhealthy foods that came into effect on 1st October are expected to deliver health benefits of £2billion and NHS savings of £180 million over 25 years – a change welcomed by healthcare professionals.”
As of February 2025, 800 people in Britain were still receiving ESA for obesity, marking a 43% drop from 2020. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently transitioning all remaining legacy benefit claimants, including ESA recipients, onto the Universal Credit system.
A Government spokesperson said: “Personal Independence Payments are awarded based on how a condition impacts a person’s day-to-day needs, as opposed to the condition itself.
“We are also taking strong action to tackle the obesity crisis as part of our 10 Year Health Plan, which will shift the focus of care from sickness to prevention, and have launched the Timms Review – co-produced by disabled people and their representative organisations – to make sure PIP is fair and fit for the future.”
