The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced plans to implement new criteria and assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) starting from November 2026, with the overhaul set to affect both new and current recipients. However, Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, has provided reassurance that people of State Pension age will be exempt from these impending modifications.
The elaboration came from Sir Stephen in his written reply to Labour MP Paula Barker’s enquiry about the possible effects of the prospective PIP reforms on pensioners. 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 mentioned that “information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course” and highlighted that some details were released alongside the Spring Statement in March, with links available for reference, reports the Daily Record.
Sir Stephen further stated: “A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.”
In a distinct written reply to Independent MP Apsana Begum, the DWP Minister also assured that there would be no alterations for people approaching end-of-life who apply for PIP via the expedited service.
Addressing the Poplar and Limehouse MP, Sir Stephen remarked: “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 an 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 are claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), but the UK Government anticipates this figure to increase to 4 million by the end of the decade. As a result, it has proposed a series of new measures to ensure the benefits’ sustainability for future generations.
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.
