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  "path": "/money/disability-benefit-claims-food-intolerances",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-20T09:42:42.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "UK unemployment to top two million as economy 'flirting with recession'",
    "HMRC stepping up VAT investigations with 12,000 probes opened in huge crackdown",
    "Ed Miliband to double down on Net Zero and declare fossil fuel era 'over' as energy crisis deepens",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDisability benefit claims for food intolerances have surged by 500 per cent over the past five years, new figures reveal.\n\nThe rise forms part of a broader pattern affecting 120 different medical conditions, all of which have seen Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications at least double since 2021.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAmong the conditions qualifying for support are writer's cramp, tennis elbow and acne.\n\nThe Sun reported that claimants with food intolerances can receive up to £114 weekly to cover the additional time required for preparing meals under specialist, GP-recommended dietary plans.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe benefit, worth around £800 monthly at its maximum, is designed to assist those facing extra living costs due to medical conditions.\n\nSleep apnoea, bed-wetting and stress reaction disorders have also recorded increases in successful applications.\n\nFormer Conservative minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke criticised what he described as fraudulent claims affecting public finances.\n\nSir Alec said: \"A food intolerance doesn't stop you from going to work.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added: \"People with no legitimate claim are ripping off the public, and the Government is letting them do so.\"\n\nPayments to individuals whose disability was not recorded by officials have risen by 257 per cent.\n\nSome 4,500 people currently receive PIP payments for obesity, while ADHD, autism and anxiety remain among the most common triggers for successful applications.\n\nFood intolerance claimants numbered 12 in 2021, rising to 78, with costs estimated at around £1,000 per day.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * UK unemployment to top two million as economy 'flirting with recession'\n  * HMRC stepping up VAT investigations with 12,000 probes opened in huge crackdown\n  * Ed Miliband to double down on Net Zero and declare fossil fuel era 'over' as energy crisis deepens\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSleep apnoea claims have increased by 317 per cent, rising from 869 to 3,626 recipients over the same period.\n\nAnxiety-related payments have risen by 268 per cent, with 37,691 people receiving support compared to 10,229 five years ago.\n\nADHD claims have increased by 193 per cent, climbing from 32,382 to 94,753 recipients.\n\nAutism-related applications have risen by 157 per cent, with 217,612 people now claiming compared to 84,379 in 2021.\n\nBed-wetting claims have increased from 19 to 46 recipients.\n\nThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: \"We are fixing the broken system we inherited, delivering more personalised support to help people into work, and bringing in reforms to save nearly £2billion this parliament.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe department added that these claims represent a small proportion of overall PIP applications and began rising several years ago.\n\nThe figures come as Britain's annual welfare expenditure of £333billion has surpassed Treasury revenues from income tax for the first time.\n\nAn independent review into PIP has been commissioned by the Government to assess potential savings options.\n\nHealth Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated that welfare reductions may be required to support increased defence spending.\n\nThe review is expected to report in the autumn, with potential changes under consideration.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Disability benefit claims linked to food intolerances surge 500% as PIP applications for 120 ailments soar"
}