The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a cautionary warning to benefits claimants against using ChatGPT or similar AI tools to complete application forms, including those for Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Michelle Cardno, founder of the benefits charity Fightback4Justice, highlighted the growing trend of individuals employing AI to fill out their claims, which could inadvertently jeopardize their eligibility for up to £800 a month.
Cardno expressed concern that while many claimants are not intentionally trying to deceive the system, the reliance on AI-generated answers can be harmful to the accuracy and integrity of their claims. “It’s alarming how rapidly the adoption of tools like ChatGPT has increased over the past year,” she noted. “Assessors require a detailed and honest account of both good and bad days to make fair decisions.”
Benefits expert Noah Bear Nyle echoed these concerns, emphasizing that using AI responses might trigger fraud alerts, putting claimants at risk of investigation. The DWP fears that highly persuasive AI-generated answers could be exploited to manipulate the claims process.
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A DWP spokesperson reaffirmed that PIP claims undergo functional assessments conducted by healthcare professionals. They acknowledged ongoing efforts to make assessments fairer and more thorough, citing the first-ever comprehensive review of PIP co-developed with disabled individuals and advocacy groups. While technology is being deployed to detect potential fraud and errors, the DWP stressed that human judgment remains central to the process as part of the largest fraud crackdown in a generation.