DWP names groups most likely to lose PIP under new rules
DWP names groups most likely to lose PIP under new rules
Thousands are now expected to lose their payments under the government's proposed changes, including some with very common medical conditions
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined the groups most likely to lose their PIP entitlement under upcoming changes to the benefit
(Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne )
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined the groups most likely to lose their PIP entitlement under upcoming changes to the benefit. The department estimates that around 370,000 current claimants will miss out in the coming years after the changes from 2026.
An impact assessment, released in March, also forecasts that 430,000 future PIP claimants will not qualify for the disability benefit once the reforms are implemented, resulting in an average annual loss of £4,500 each. The DWP has carried out an analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity across 18 of the most prevalent disabling conditions.
These conditions were selected as they constitute the largest proportions of PIP caseloads.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms disclosed the findings of the analysis in a written response to Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins, , reports the Daily Record. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here .
Mr Simms said: "A breakdown of the impact of the reforms on disability overall has been published as part of an Equality Analysis of the Spring Statement package of measures."
He added: "Data on the health conditions of Universal Credit claimants being placed in the LCWRA has been published and will continue to be taken into account in the future programme of analysis."
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The minister concluded: "Analysis of those who do not score four points in at least one daily living activity for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has now been undertaken."
He noted the findings table "shows the volume of claimants with the 18 most common disabling conditions in receipt of the PIP daily living component in January 2025, as well as the volume and proportion of these claimants who were awarded less than four points in all 10 daily living activities."
Notes accompanying the DWP's breakdown reveal that the classification of the health condition is based on the primary health condition as recorded in the PIP computer system at the time of the latest assessment.
Although many claimants suffer from various health issues, only the primary condition is considered for this analysis.
Here is a summary showing the most prevalent health conditions for PIP, along with the number of comments in the reciept of the PIP daily living component and those who were allotted fewer than four points across all daily living activities as of the end of January 2025:
Back Pain - 194,000 claimants, 154,000 (79%) scored less than 4 points
Arthritis - Out of 279,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored under four points.
Other Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases - With 136,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored under four points.
Chronic Pain Syndromes - From the 173,00 claimants, 97,000 (71%) received under four points.
Cardiovascular Diseases - Among 61,000 claimants, 38,000 (62%) fell below the four-point mark.
Respiratory Diseases - Of 83,000 claimants, 45,000 (55%) tallied less than four points.
Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases - Of the 80,000 claimants, 38,000 (48%) were given less than four points.
All Other Conditions - A total of 272,000 claimants, where 126,000 (46%) scored less than four points.
Other Neurological Diseases - 97,000 claimants, with 35,000 (36%) scoring less than four points.
Cerebrovascular Diseases - 56,000 claimants, with 19,000 (34%) scoring less than four points.
Cancer - 70,000 claimants, with 23,000 (33%) scoring less than four points.
Epilepsy - 36,000 claimants, with 11,000 (30%) scoring less than four points.
Other Psychiatric Disorders - 90,000 claimants, with 25,000 (28%) scoring less than four points.
Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases - 47,000 claimants, with 11,000 (24%) scoring less than four points.
Psychotic Disorders - 112,000 claimants, with 26,000 (23%) scoring less than four points.
ADHD/ADD - 75,000 claimants, with 14,000 (19%) scoring less than four points.
Autistic Spectrum Disorders - 206,000 claimants, with 13,000 (6%) scoring less than four points.
Learning Disabilities - 188,000 claimants, with 7,000 (3%) scoring less than four points.
Other disabling conditions that makeup smaller portions of the PIP caseload are included in the 'Other Conditions' category. This encompasses conditions such as:
Visual Diseases
Other General Musculoskeletal Diseases
Endocrine Diseases
Hearing Disorders
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Genitourinary Diseases
Skin Diseases
Autoimmune Diseases (Connective Tissue Disorders)
Infectious Diseases
Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder or Biliary Tract
Haematological Diseases
Metabolic Diseases
Multisystem and Extremes of Age
Diseases of the Immune System
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety disorders - Other / type not known
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Stress reaction disorders - Other / type not known
Generalised anxiety disorder
Phobia - Specific
Phobia - Social
Agoraphobia
Panic disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Anxiety and depressive disorders - mixed
Conversion disorder (hysteria)
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Dissociative disorders - Other / type not known
Somatoform disorders - Other / type not known
Depressive disorder
Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania)
Mood disorders - Other / type not known
Daily Living component in PIP
You might be eligible for the daily living component of PIP if you require assistance with:
eating, drinking or preparing food
washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
dressing and undressing
talking, listening, reading and understanding
managing your medicines or treatments
making decisions about money
mixing with other people
How difficulty with tasks is assessed
The DWP will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility tasks.
For each task, the DWP will consider:
whether you can do it safely
how long it takes you
how often your condition affects this activity
whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
The descriptors
Your ability to perform each activity is gauged against a set of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do.
The assessment involves identifying the relevant descriptors for each activity, with guidance from a health professional, who will inform the DWP of the applicable descriptor for each activity.
A comprehensive guide, along with a downloadable points system, is available on the Citizen's Advice website, detailing the points awarded for each response.
An example provided illustrates the six descriptors for 'Dressing and undressing', ranging from 'Can dress and undress unaided' to 'Cannot dress or undress at all', each carrying a points score between 0 and 12.
Assessment Considerations for Aids and Appliances
The evaluation of your capacity to perform daily living and mobility activities will take into account the use of any aids or appliances that it would be reasonable for you to utilise, regardless of whether you typically use them.
The use or necessity of aids and appliances can potentially increase your points score.
According to Citizens Advice: "An aid is any item which improves, provides or replaces impaired physical or mental function. It doesn't have to be specially designed as a disability aid. Examples include a stool you need to sit on when cooking, or a walking stick to help you stand."
Daily living scores
Citizens Advice clarifies that to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP, you must have a physical or mental condition that restricts your ability to carry out some or all of the activities listed below.
The maximum PIP points that can be awarded for each question are clearly indicated.
Daily living activity:
Preparing food - 8
Taking medication - 10
Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition - 8
Washing and bathing - 8
Managing toilet needs or incontinence - 8
Dressing and undressing - 8
Communicating verbally - 12
Reading and understanding symbols and words - 8
Engaging with other people face to face - 8
Making budgeting decisions - 6
Points and payment rates
Upon completion of all the daily living activity questions:
If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded thestandard rate of PIP
If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded theenhanced rate of PIP
Upon completion of all the mobility activity questions:
If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded thestandard rate of PIP
If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP
According to the most recent DWP statistics, as of the end of January, there were 3.7 million PIP claimants across Great Britain.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously stated that over 1,000 PIP claims are being granted daily, underscoring the need for welfare reforms to ensure future sustainability.
Subject to parliamentary approval, the proposed changes are set to take effect in November 2026.
The reforms also propose an increase in face-to-face assessments. Currently, most are conducted remotely via phone, video call, or paper-based methods.
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However, there will be no freeze on PIP payments, which will remain non-means-tested and will increase in line with the September inflation rate.
There will be no alterations to the mobility component. You can participate in the UK Government's consultation on proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on GOV.UK here.
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