Eligibility changes to PIP are set to start in November next year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced it will be rolling out changes to the eligibility criteria and assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026.
These welfare reforms are set to affect both new and current claimants; however, according to Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, people of State Pension age will “not be affected by the proposed changes”.
At the end of January, DWP statistics revealed a total of 690,186 people between the ages of 65 and 79 were beneficiaries of PIP.
Sir Stephen gave the clarification in a written response to Labour MP Paula Barker, who asked DWP about the potential impact of proposed PIP reforms on people of State Pension age.
In his statement, Sir Stephen detailed: “Our intention is that the new eligibility requirement in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in which people must score a minimum of four points in one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component, will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.
“In keeping with existing policy, people of State Pension Age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by the proposed changes.”, reports the Daily Record.
He added that “information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course” and highlighted that some details were already shared with the Spring Statement in March, which are accessible online.
Sir Stephen further stated: “A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.”
In a separate written response to Independent MP Apsana Begum, the DWP Minister also confirmed there will be no changes for people nearing the end of life applying for PIP through the fast-track service.
Addressing the Poplar and Limehouse MP, Sir Stephen remarked: “We recognise that people nearing the end of their life are some of the most vulnerable people in society and need fast track and unqualified support at this difficult time.
“People who claim, or an in receipt of, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and are nearing the end of their life with 12 months or less to live, will continue to be able to access the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP.
“We will also maintain the existing fast-track route under the Special Rules for End of Life and where claims are currently being cleared in two working days. This fast-track route will not be impacted by the new eligibility requirement for PIP.”
Currently, 3.7 million people across Great Britain are claiming for PIP, but the UK Government anticipates this figure to rise to 4 million by the end of the decade. To ensure the benefit’s sustainability for future generations, a series of new measures have been proposed.
Proposed package of reforms to overhaul the welfare system, include:
- Ending reassessments for disabled people who will never be able to work and people with lifelong conditions to ensure they can live with dignity and security.
- Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment to end the process that drives people into dependency, delivering on the UK Government’s manifesto commitment to reform or replace it.
- Providing improved employment support backed by £1 billion including new tailored support conversations for people on health and disability benefits to break down barriers and unlock work.
- Legislating to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work.
To ensure the welfare system is available for those with the greatest needs now and in the future, the UK Government has made decisions to improve its sustainability and protect those who need it most.
These include:
- Reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support and are not written off.
- Targeting PIP for those with higher needs by changing the eligibility requirement to a minimum score of four on at least one of the daily living activities to receive the daily living element of the benefit, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria.
- Rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit to improve the Standard Allowance.
- Consulting on delaying access to the health element of Universal Credit until someone is aged 22 and reinvesting savings into work support and training opportunities through the Youth Guarantee.
The DWP has also launched an online consultation on the new proposals to coincide with the publication of the Green paper. The consultation can be completed by anyone and is open until 30 June 2025 – full details can be found on GOV.UK here.
