New DWP plans for people on PIP with ‘light touch' award set to start next year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed planned reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will also include changes for people with an ongoing 'light touch' award, which is typically in place for 10 years before the need for a review.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said that the new Green Paper outlines 'plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP'.
He added that this would include improving the information DWP provides when issuing an ongoing PIP award, support available to claimants between reviews, and 'reviewing the length of time between 'light touch' reviews'.
The DWP Minister's comments came after Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome recently asked what changes the Department is making to 'PIP reassessments for claimants suffering from longer-term degenerative conditions'.
In a written response, Sir Stephen said: 'Award reviews are an important feature of Personal Independence Payment to ensure people receive the correct level of benefit, both for those whose needs will increase and those whose needs may decrease.
'People who receive the highest level of PIP and whose needs will not improve, receive a PIP award for a continuous period with a light touch review at the 10-year point.
'In the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working published on 18 March we outline plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP.
'These include improving the information we provide when we write to people about ongoing PIP award decisions, what support is offered between 'light touch' reviews and reviewing the length of time between 'light touch' reviews.'
The planned welfare reforms are due to come into effect in November 2026 for new claimants. Existing claimants would not see any changes until their current award is due for review - the date of this can be found on your award letter.
Ongoing PIP awards
The latest DWP statistics show that at the end of January some 3.7 million people across Great Britain were in receipt of PIP - now worth up to £749.80 every four weeks following the annual uprating in April.
The data also indicates that 1.5m PIP claimants have an ongoing award, of five years or longer, for a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition.
More than 58 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have a monthly award of up to £749.80 for five years or more.
More than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been given a longer award, along with 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
The current edition of the PIP Handbook explains the decision maker will make an award of PIP based on the impact of the claimant's health condition or disability on their daily life and their ability to live independently. It adds: 'The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances.'
It's important to be aware the guidance from the DWP also says most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, 'regardless of the length of the award' in order to make sure 'everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support'.
Some claimants will be given a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years - DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where the claimant's health condition may be reasonably expected to improve.
Ongoing awards with a 'light touch' review
A 'light touch' review is typically awarded to claimants who have:
very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age
The DWP guidance states: 'These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.'
The annual uprating of 1.7 per cent will see people on disability benefits receive between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Over the course of the financial year, this will see people on the highest awards receive £9,747 in extra cash help.
It's important to be aware the maximum amount of £749.80 is based on someone in receipt of the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer
It's important to be aware people with different health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or longer. The award is based on how the condition affects the claimant.
The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards given to claimants at the end of January 2025.
Visual disease
34,692
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
682,391
341,434
50.8%
Neurological disease
468,113
230,412
Respiratory disease
138,376
64,835
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
19,542
8,697
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
426,038
185,916
44.6%
Total number of PIP claimants
3,694,536
1,501,215
41%
PIP payment rates
You will be paid the following amounts per week (paid every four weeks in arrears) - depending on your award:
Daily living
Standard: £73.90
Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility
Standard: £29.20
Enhanced: £77.05
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