The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released limited details about upcoming reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), scheduled for implementation in November 2026, stating that individuals over the State Pension age and those living with a terminal illness will not be affected.
This clarification follows formal questions raised in Parliament by MPs Paula Barker and Apsana Begum and comes amid growing public concern over changes to disability benefits.
While the DWP has yet to fully outline the scope of the new policy, DevonLive reports that key exemptions were confirmed by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms.
PIP Changes and New Eligibility Criteria
The UK Government plans to revise PIP eligibility rules starting from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. Under the proposal, claimants will be required to score a minimum of four points on at least one daily living activity to qualify for the daily living component of PIP.
Sir Stephen Timms stated:
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.
no impact on state pension age claimants
In response to a written question from Labour MP Paula Barker, Sir Stephen confirmed that those over the State Pension age will not be affected by these reforms. He emphasized the current review policy for pensioners will remain in place:
In keeping with existing policy, people of State Pension Age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by the proposed changes.
reforms will not affect terminally ill claimants
In a separate response to Independent MP Apsana Begum, Sir Stephen reassured that PIP applicants in end-of-life situations will continue to receive full support through existing expedited procedures. These claimants will retain access to the enhanced daily living component and fast-track processing.
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 are 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.
pip claimant growth projections
Currently, 3.7 million individuals receive PIP, but the UK Government expects that number to reach 4 million by 2030. This anticipated increase is driving a series of welfare reforms aimed at maintaining the system’s long-term sustainability.
structural reforms outlined in the green paper
The upcoming changes form part of the Pathways to Work Green Paper, which was partially detailed in the Spring Statement and is still under active development. Sir Stephen confirmed:
Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course.
A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
The proposed measures include:
- Ending reassessments for people with lifelong conditions or who will never be able to work, enabling them to live with greater stability.
- Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment, a long-criticized element of disability benefits, fulfilling a manifesto pledge to reform the system.
- Introducing £1 billion in new funding for tailored employment support targeting individuals on health and disability benefits.
- Creating legal protection for claimants trying to return to work so they do not lose their support benefits if the employment attempt fails.
universal credit adjustments and youth support
As part of broader reforms, the government also plans:
- Reintroducing reassessments for claimants on incapacity benefits who may be able to work, ensuring appropriate support is provided.
- Targeting PIP more closely to those with higher support needs, using the new four-point rule.
- Rebalancing Universal Credit by adjusting the Standard Allowance levels.
- Consulting on proposals to delay access to the health element of Universal Credit until age 22 and reinvest savings into employment and training through the Youth Guarantee.
