**Government Announces Major Overhaul to PIP Eligibility Criteria: Who Will Retain Support?**
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is poised to introduce significant reforms to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system starting next year, marking a substantial shift in the approach to disability benefits across the UK. The new eligibility rules, identified in a recent ministerial statement, are intended to refocus support towards individuals with the most severe and persistent needs, while tightening up the criteria for others currently receiving payments.
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, disclosed that from November 2026, the qualifying process for the daily living element of PIP will change. Applicants will be required to score at least four points in a single daily living activity—an increase from the current, more flexible method where points can be spread across several tasks. This adjustment, subject to parliamentary approval, is expected to have a considerable impact, particularly on those whose needs are less acute.
In a response to a parliamentary inquiry from Labour MP Noah Law, Sir Stephen justified the alterations, stating that the rapid increase in both claims and overall expenditure for PIP are unsustainable. “While PIP is a critical, non-means-tested benefit for disabled people whether in or out of work, its growth has outpaced the rising prevalence of disability in the population. These changes are necessary to ensure support is focused on those whose health conditions or disabilities create the greatest daily challenges,” he explained.
The reforms will not alter the underlying assessment model entirely, but by insisting on a minimum four-point score in one daily living activity (instead of a cumulative total across several lower-point activities), many people with more moderate needs will lose their entitlement to payments. Currently, recipients who do not meet the threshold in one area but score points in multiple activities are eligible—something that will no longer be possible after the rule change.
DWP estimates suggest that around 370,000 current claimants could lose their PIP entitlement when their cases are reviewed in the 2029-30 financial year as a direct result of these new criteria. Additionally, forecasts from an official impact assessment indicate that a further 430,000 would-be claimants will no longer access the benefit in the future, each missing out on an average yearly payment of approximately £4,500 once reforms are implemented.
A detailed departmental analysis has identified which claimants are most likely to be affected, with primary consideration given to the main health condition listed at assessment. The findings suggest that people suffering from chronic pain, regional musculoskeletal diseases, and back pain are among the groups with the largest share of recipients who may not meet the stricter new criteria. For example, 79% of back pain claimants and 71% with chronic pain syndromes currently score below the new four-point single-activity threshold.
The PIP daily living component is designed for those needing help with essential activities such as preparing food, managing medication, bathing, dressing, communicating, and handling finances. Under the current system, points are awarded based on the severity of difficulties experienced, with different descriptors measuring the capability for each task. Applicants can be awarded between zero and 12 points per activity, and points may be gained by using aids or needing assistance.
To qualify for the daily living component, claimants need a certain score across all relevant activities—they currently receive the standard rate with eight to eleven points and the enhanced rate with a score of at least twelve. With more than 3.7 million people across Great Britain claiming PIP as of January 2025, any significant change to the process is likely to affect a wide swathe of the population.
Government officials, including the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, point to the growing volume of daily successful applications—over 1,000 per day—as further evidence justifying reform to protect the system’s long-term viability. The new guidelines, if approved, will only apply to new claimants and to existing recipients when their awards come up for review after November 2026.
Despite the tightening of eligibility for the daily living component, the mobility element of PIP will remain unaffected by these changes. Moreover, PIP will continue to be non-means-tested, with payment amounts set to increase annually in line with September inflation metrics. The DWP also forecasts a rise in the proportion of face-to-face assessments in the future, in contrast to the current reliance on phone, video, or paper-based checks.
The government has opened a public consultation on the proposed changes, encouraging individuals, disability groups, and other stakeholders to have their say. The consultation period runs until 30 June 2025, and those wishing to participate can do so via the UK Government’s official website.
As the DWP undertakes what could be one of the most consequential overhauls of disability benefits in a decade, concerns remain regarding the potential impact on vulnerable people who rely on this vital support. Advocates and politicians alike will be watching closely to assess whether the reforms strike a balance between fiscal sustainability and fairness for those with genuine need.