New DWP PIP eligibility rules to spare nearly 700,000 claimants
DWP is set to introduce new changes to eligibility and assessments for PIP next year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is gearing up to roll out significant changes to the eligibility criteria and assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) starting from November 2026, which will affect both new and current claimants. However, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms has assured that people of State Pension age will remain untouched by these upcoming reforms.
Recent statistics released by the DWP reveal that as of the end of January, approximately 690,186 people aged between 65 and 79 were in receipt of PIP, with 2,492 of them residing in Scotland. These recipients are set to transition to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) under the Social Security Scotland system this Spring, reports the Daily Record.
Sir Stephen provided this assurance in a written reply to Labour MP Paula Barker's enquiry regarding the potential repercussions of the proposed PIP reforms on pensioners.
In his statement, 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." He noted that "information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course" and highlighted some details were shared with the Spring Statement in March.
Sir Stephen continued: "A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months."
Responding separately to Independent MP Apsana Begum, Sir Stephen confirmed no changes are forthcoming for people facing end-of-life applying through PIP's fast-track service. He told the Poplar and Limehouse MP: "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 are 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.
The proposed package of reforms aims to overhaul the welfare system and includes:
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.
Legislation to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work.
In order to ensure that the welfare system remains accessible for those with the greatest needs now and in the future, the UK Government has made decisions to enhance 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.
Alongside the publication of the Green Paper, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has also launched an online consultation on the new proposals. The consultation is open to everyone and will run until 30 June 2025 - full details can be found on GOV.UK.
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