Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, has confirmed that people of state pension age won’t be impacted by the changes to PIP
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that people of state pension age will “not be affected by the proposed changes” to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
PIP is a disability benefit that is awarded to people who need help with everyday tasks due to an illness, disability or mental health condition. There are two parts to PIP – the daily living rate and the mobility rate – and you can be entitled to just one, or both of these elements.
Your eligibility is based on how your condition affects your life and your ability to complete daily tasks, with PIP claimants assessed using a points system. To get the standard rate of the daily living part of PIP, you currently need between eight and 11 points. If you score 12 points or more, you are eligible for the higher daily living rate.
But under changes being considered by Labour, from November 2026, you would also need a minimum of four points in at least one activity to get the daily living part of PIP. The point system for the mobility part of PIP is not changing.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, has also confirmed that people of state pension age won’t be impacted by these changes. The latest figures from the DWP show that at the end of January, some 690,186 people aged between 65 and 79 were receiving PIP.
Sir Stephen issued a written response to Labour MP Paula Barker, who asked what the potential impact of proposed PIP reforms on people of state pension age would be.
He replied: “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. Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement.”
Most people can only claim PIP if they are under state pension age. You can only make a new claim for PIP once you reach state pension age, if you had a PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claim that ended in the last year, or if you still receive DLA. If you already claim PIP and then you reach state pension age, your claim will continue.
In a separate written response to Independent MP Apsana Begum, the DWP minister also confirmed there will be no changes for people nearing the end of life applying for PIP, who are able to fast track their application.
Sir Stephen 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 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.”
READ MORE: Travellers can escape April showers with these bargain beach holiday deals
