**DWP Announces Major PIP Reform as Benefit Shake-Up Looms: What Claimants Need to Know**
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed plans for sweeping changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), marking a significant shift in the government’s approach to disability benefits. The reforms, which are expected to roll out from November 2026, could see hundreds of thousands losing out on support, as eligibility criteria become stricter in an effort to streamline the system and curb costs.
PIP, a benefit designed to assist individuals with additional living expenses due to long-term physical or mental disabilities, is currently awarded through a points-based system. The scheme is divided into two main elements: the daily living component and the mobility component. Claimants may receive either one or both parts, depending on how their condition impacts their daily lives.
Currently, individuals qualify for the standard rate of the daily living component by scoring between eight and eleven points on the assessment. Twelve points or more are required for the enhanced rate. However, under the DWP’s proposed changes, applicants will also need to achieve at least four points in a single daily activity to receive any award for daily living support. The points system for mobility support will remain unchanged, providing a degree of continuity as other aspects evolve.
The financial implications for those reliant on PIP are substantial. At present, the standard weekly rate for the daily living element stands at £73.90, while the enhanced rate is £110.40. The mobility component pays £29.20 per week at the standard rate and £77.05 at the enhanced rate. Under the new system, the government anticipates that around 800,000 claimants could lose eligibility for the daily living component by the 2029/30 financial year, although many will still be able to claim the mobility element.
Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has emphasised that these changes are part of a broader review of the benefits system. Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Kendall highlighted the government’s intention to work closely with disabled people, advocacy organisations, and other stakeholders as they overhaul the PIP assessment. She acknowledged the uncertainty the proposed reforms may cause, pledging to ensure the process remains fair for current and future claimants.
A key element of the reforms involves the integration of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) with the PIP assessment. The WCA is used to determine whether claimants of universal credit or employment support allowance (ESA) are fit to work. The government has committed to abolishing the WCA by 2028, which it says will reduce stress for those with health conditions by removing the risk of losing benefits when returning to work.
Instead, the government proposes that eligibility for the health element of universal credit will be determined solely by qualification for any rate of the PIP daily living component. This simplification, according to officials, should make it easier for claimants to navigate the benefits system while ensuring support is targeted at those with the highest needs.
The announcement has sparked considerable debate among disability rights campaigners and claimants, many of whom fear the tightening of criteria will leave vulnerable individuals without vital financial support. The DWP has opened discussions with a range of interested parties to shape the scope and terms of reference for the ongoing review, inviting stakeholders to participate actively in developing a fit-for-purpose assessment process.
Despite reassurances from ministers that the reforms are intended to create a fairer and more sustainable system, the scale of the projected loss of support for hundreds of thousands has raised concerns about the immediate and long-term effects on disabled people across the UK. As preparations for implementation continue, the government has pledged to keep Parliament and the public updated on progress and further consultations.
The mooted changes mark one of the most significant overhauls to the PIP awarding process in recent years. With the legislative and consultative process now underway, many will be watching closely to see how these reforms address the complex needs of those living with disability, as well as the balance between fiscal prudence and support for society’s most vulnerable.