DWP shares huge update to PIP shake-up impacting 700,000 people
The Labour government announced in March that it was to overhaul the DWP benefit claimed by 3.7million people in a bid to cut down welfare spending.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will not affect 700,000 claimants.
The Labour government announced in March that it was to overhaul the DWP benefit claimed by 3.7million people in a bid to cut down welfare spending. The shake-up is set to tighten the eligibility rules for PIP, and cut payments for those claiming the health element for Universal Credit.
According to an analysis from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the overhaul plan for PIP would impact around 800,000 claimants.
The confirmation came in a written response from the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, in April. Labour MP Paula Barker asked the DWP minister about the potential impact of proposed PIP reforms on state pension-aged claimants.
In response, he said the changes would impact "new claims and reward reviews" from next year, and those who are of state pension age were not "routinely reviewed". Which means they will "not be affected by the proposed changes.'
Sir Stephen said: '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.'
According to the latest figures from the benefits department, at the end of January 690,186 people aged between 65 and 79 were receiving PIP. However, he noted that the full impacts of the "Pathways to Work Green Paper" would be published in "due course".
He added: "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 Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum, Sir Stephen also confirmed there will be no changes for people nearing the end of life applying for PIP through the fast-track service.
He said: '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.
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'People who claim, or are in receipt of, 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.'
PIP is the main disability benefit in the UK, and its aim is to help cover the extra costs of having a disability or medical condition. PIP is not an out of work benefit, and it can be claimed whether you are working or not, and have savings.
To have a successful claim for PIP, you normally need to undertake a health assessment. This is used to determine what tasks you are struggling with and how your condition impacts your day-to-day life. This is completed using a points system.
You currently need between eight and 11 points to get the standard daily living or mobility part of PIP across all the sections. You get the higher rate if you score 12 points or more. However, under changes, you will need a minimum of four points in at least one activity to qualify for the daily living part of PIP from November 2026.
This means that claimants will need to show greater difficulty when completing some tasks, such as washing, eating and getting dressed, to be eligible to claim PIP.
The DWP has launched an online consultation on the new proposals. The consultation can be completed by anyone and is open until June 30, 2025 - you can find full details on GOV.UK here.
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