New PIP changes are set to come into force next November
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is poised to implement new changes to eligibility and assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026. These welfare reforms will apply to all new claims, while some of the 3.7 million people currently receiving the disability benefit may see alterations to their award at their next review, post-November 2026.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, has previously stated that those of State Pension age receiving PIP are “not expected to be affected by the proposed changes”.
However, in a written response to SNP Chris Law, the DWP Minister revealed that the Department is “considering further how the four-point minimum requirement (for the daily living component) will affect claimants over State Pension age who report a change of circumstances.”
Sir Stephen’s remarks followed questions from the Dundee Central MP regarding the impact of planned reforms on pensioners receiving PIP.
The most recent data from the DWP reveals that as of the end of January, around 690,186 people aged between 65 and 79 were receiving PIP, including 2,492 residing in Scotland. These claimants are set to transition to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and the Social Security Scotland system this summer, reports the Daily Record.
Mr Ship queried the DWP’s policy regarding PIP claimants of State Pension age and their eligibility criteria for maintaining awards post-November 2026.
In a written reply, Sir Stephen explained: “Our intention is for the new eligibility requirement for the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – requiring individuals to score at least four points in a single daily living activity – to apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.”
He further explained that those over State Pension Age are not typically subjected to full award reviews, indicating they would likely remain unaffected by the proposed changes.
Addressing the second query, Sir Stephen reiterated: “In keeping with existing policy, people on state pension age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by these changes.”
The DWP said it is “considering further how the 4-point minimum requirement will affect claimants over state pension age who report a change of circumstances, and will provide further information in due course.”
Presently, 3.7 million people across Great Britain are claiming PIP. However, the UK Government anticipates this figure to rise to 4 million by the end of the decade.
To ensure the benefit’s sustainability for future generations, the Government has proposed a series of new measures.
Proposed PIP changes and online consultation
Proposed package of reforms to overhaul the welfare system, include:
- 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.
- Legislating to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work.
To ensure the welfare system is available for those with the greatest needs now and in the future, the UK Government has made decisions it says will improve 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.
DWP also launched an online consultation on the new proposals to coincide with the publication of the Green paper.
The consultation can be completed by anyone and is open until June 30, 2025 – you can find full details on GOV.UK here.
It’s important to be aware that the proposed reforms announced by the DWP will not directly affect disability claimants in Scotland currently claiming devolved health-related benefits – unless funding for the Scottish Government is impacted by planned changes by Westminster.