Online ‘sickfluencers’ help followers maximise benefits with ‘example answers for depression’ as 15,000 a week signed off work

Their videos, which have attracted millions of views, provide detailed guidance on assessment scoring criteria and keyword usage, according to a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation.

The surge comes as disability benefit claims have risen dramatically, with 3.3 million people claiming in 2023 - up by 1 million since 2019.

These online advisers offer templates for claims and specific instructions on how to approach benefit assessments, with some boasting of their success rates in helping followers secure payments.

The phenomenon has sparked debate about the accessibility of the benefits system and concerns over potential misuse.

The scale of benefit approvals has seen a dramatic surge, rising from 1,000 cases before the pandemic to more than 3,000 approvals per working day in March.

The Department for Work and Pensions is now facing unprecedented pressure as the number of claimants is projected to exceed 4 million by the end of parliament.

Financial implications are severe, with sickness benefits expected to cost £100 billion before the decade ends - surpassing the combined budgets for schools, police and courts.

These figures include both new claims and renewals of existing benefits.

Ministers have pledged to reform the benefits system, aiming to address the record numbers of people on long-term sickness benefits.

The rapid increase has raised concerns about the sustainability of the current system, as the Government grapples with rising costs and increasing approval rates.

YouTuber Charlie Anderson's video "Unlock the secret steps for winning your Pip claims" has garnered 378,000 views, demonstrating the reach of these sickfluencers.

In the video, Anderson claims: "I have a 100 per cent success rate at winning Pip claims for people because of understanding the point system and how to communicate it in a manner that then scores the points."

She offers templates on her website and premium services costing up to £950 for personal sessions.

Other prominent figures include Patricia Ehrmann, who runs the TikTok account Witch Mother, advising followers to focus on their "absolute worst day."

Liz Jones, known as the "Pip angel" to her 67,000 followers, provides PDF guides and template answers for depression claims.

Supporting People UK tells its 18,600 followers: "We share what they don't want you to know," regularly posting success stories from followers who have used their advice.

Former DWP assessors have raised serious concerns about the benefits system and potential misuse.

Sarah, a nurse assessor, told Channel 4 that while some claims were genuine, she believed others were lying but felt powerless to intervene.

"If at any point someone said that they were suicidal every day, its straight away in that high [category]," she explained.

Michael Houston, another former assessor, revealed staff were paid £80 per case after meeting daily targets, potentially earning £400 bonus for processing five extra assessments.

A former GP working as an assessor noted: "What strikes me about this job is how few people I speak to who are genuinely too sick to work."

The GP added: "Most of the claims are to do with stress or anxiety... But my opinion as a GP does not count in this system. Its all about points, risk and other triggers that they [claimants] seem familiar with before they call."

Influencers provide detailed guidance on navigating benefit assessments, including specific keywords and responses to maximise claims.

Jones warns followers about "trick questions," such as whether they have pets they can walk and feed.

This advice drew criticism from Chanel Ashley, a nurse assessor, who said: "Telling people what to say to get higher points, its wrong. People should tell the truth about their situation."

Jones defended her approach, stating she aims to help people complete claims "independently, accurately and thoroughly" within a complex system.

Online communities on Reddit and Facebook share similar advice, with users recommending applicants describe their "absolute worst day ever."

Some posts specifically highlight mental health claims, with one Facebook user noting: "They are more likely to award for mental health stuff when you look at the points system."

Critics argue these online advisers are enabling people to game the system and normalising worklessness.

One member of the public commented on Jones's profile: "This is disgusting. [You are] educating folk as to how to rip off the taxpayer."

However, defenders say many disabled people would struggle to navigate the complex benefits system without free advice.

The disability charity Scope points to DWP data showing Pip fraud rates fell to 0.0 per cent in April, with total overpayments at just 0.4 per cent.

Barbie Advocates, a disability rights activist on TikTok, stated: "I have never, and would never, encourage anybody to game the system not least because I strongly believe that the finite funding available should support the millions of people with genuine disabilities."