People on PIP with autism or ADHD could lose payments under new reforms
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to introduce new changes to eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026 which includes a requirement for a minimum score of four points in at least one of the daily living component questions on the claim form to qualify for the disability benefit. There are 10 questions on the daily living health questionnaire ( PIP 2 evidence form ) which forms the main part of a PIP application. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, has now confirmed that the latest PIP data shows that in January, 8,200 PIP claimants in England and Wales receiving the standard rate of the daily living component (£73.90) who did not score at least four points in any of the 10 descriptors, had autism as their primary condition. He added: 'There were 21,600 such claimants whose primary condition was a neurodivergent condition, including the 8,200 with autism.' In his written response to Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who asked 'how many people claiming the standard level of the Personal Independence Payment who did not score four points in any of the 10 descriptors are autistic and neurodivergent'. Sir Stephen shared the DWP definition of neurodivergent claimants. These include people with the following primary conditions: The DWP Minister added: 'There may be other claimants with neurodivergent conditions as a primary or secondary condition, but these are not identifiable from the readily available data. 'Behavioural responses on the part of claimants and assessors to the reforms planned to take effect from November 2026 will affect the outcomes of award reviews undertaken after that date.' The MP for Harrow East also asked DWP how many autistic and neurodivergent people will no longer be eligible to PIP following the implementation of the proposed reforms. Sir Stephen said: 'The number will not be known until those affected have gone through their first award review after the reforms take effect, starting in November 2026. 'Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in 'Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper'.' He added that a further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be 'developed and undertaken in the coming months'. A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to review the PIP assessment process to adjust for neurodivergence and trauma. The petition, created by Emma O'Hara and posted on the UK Government's petition website, states: 'Review the current PIP Assessment process, including consideration of ensuring health care professionals are trained in trauma informed practice. 'We think the review should also consider how supporting evidence from health/social care workers is considered as part of a claim and the additional support available to neurodivergent claimants to understand decisions.' It continues: 'We think PIP assessors need to restoratively work with a claimant, setting out the support put in place to help them live independently. 'We think neurodivergent people deserve additional support, decisions made without their full understanding are dehumanising for the claimant. 'We think consultants who manage patients' care should be valued for the insight they offer, not challenged by assessors.' At 10,000 signatures, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government. At 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in parliament. You can view it online here.
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