DWP announces 13-week PIP rule ahead of benefits shake-up

Wales Online

14 hours ago

DWP announces 13-week PIP rule ahead of benefits shake-up
The DWP has announced a 13-week transitional protection period for benefit claimants
'This will give people peace of mind'
(Image: Media Wales Ltd. )
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced measures to temporarily safeguard benefit payments for those impacted by the upcoming amendments to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme.
Under the new Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, claimants facing changes will experience a 13-week grace period before their PIP funds are stopped. This temporary provision extends particularly to current beneficiaries whose PIP daily living component is modified, influencing their eligibility for Carer's Allowance and the carer element within Universal Credit.
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According to the DWP, this provisional cover significantly surpasses previous measures, offering over three times the duration of secure payment transitioning from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
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Previously, DLA served as the principal disability aid before PIP took its place. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced in the House of Commons in March, the proposal to change PIP under the initiative to trim the benefits bill by billions, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Current data from the DWP illustrates that there are around 3.7 million PIP claimants across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, noting the replacement of PIP with the Adult Disability Payment in Scotland.
Liz Kendall commented on the pressing need for reform: "Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.
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"This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity.
"This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot - putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change."
Thomas Lawson, CEO of anti-poverty charity Turn2us, commented: "There is no moral justification for cutting the support that allows sick and disabled people to meet their basic needs, live independently, and fully take part in society.
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"The positive plans of the government's longer-term reforms are being undermined by these harmful Treasury-driven cuts. Stripping away support will push people deeper into hardship, not employment. It will worsen health conditions, and make recovery harder."
What is PIP?
PIP, or Personal Independence Payment, is a benefit designed to assist individuals who require additional help with everyday activities due to an illness, disability, or mental health condition.
However, eligibility for PIP does not hinge on the condition itself but rather on the impact it has on your life. Typically, you must undergo an assessment using a points-based system before your PIP claim is accepted.
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If your application is approved, you'll receive PIP for a set period before it's reviewed. PIP can be awarded for a minimum of nine months, or up to an "ongoing" award, which gets reviewed every decade.
For individuals who are terminally ill, the duration of the award is three years. PIP consists of two components: the daily living component and the mobility component.
What is the current process for PIP assessment?
Your PIP assessment can take place face-to-face, over the phone, or via video call. During the evaluation, a health professional might request that you perform simple tasks or answer questions to assess your cognitive abilities.
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Throughout your evaluation, points will be assigned to you for the daily living and mobility segments of PIP. If your score for daily living needs in the PIP test falls between eight and 11 points, you'll secure the standard rate for the daily living part.
A score of 12 points or above qualifies you for the higher rate of the daily living component. You're entitled to the standard rate for the mobility part if you tally between eight to 11 points for mobility needs.
Accumulating 12 points or more means receiving the elevated rate of the mobility component. Those diagnosed with terminal illnesses are exempt from undergoing a PIP medical evaluation.
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How is PIP changing?
Earlier this year, the Labour Party revealed proposals to tighten the criteria for PIP eligibility and confirmed the assessment procedure would undergo scrutiny as well.
Upcoming alterations mean that to be eligible for the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026, a minimum of four points in at least one activity will be necessary.
At present, PIP eligibility can be met with lower scores across multiple tasks. This adjustment signifies claimants must demonstrate more significant challenges in activities like washing, eating, and dressing to qualify for PIP.
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No changes are being proposed for the PIP mobility component. The bulk of PIP assessments will shift to in-person rather than remote via telephone or video.
"Reasonable adjustments" will remain for those unable to attend in-person evaluations. Persons with enduring or deteriorating health issues won't require reevaluation under the new strategy, although others could face more regular reassessments.
Eligibility for exemption from reassessment due to certain conditions won't be predetermined but rather assessed individually.
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What is the value of PIP?
A lower rate of £73.90 weekly or a higher rate of £110.40 weekly can be expected for the daily living allowance. Meanwhile, the mobility allowance can net £29.20 weekly at the lower rate or £77.05 weekly at the higher rate.
As PIP payments occur every four weeks, maximum rates for both daily living and mobility components would equate to £749.80 per payment period.