The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it will soon respond to public feedback on proposed reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility. The review, expected next autumn, could significantly reshape how daily living support is assessed for millions.
The government’s proposed changes to the structure and criteria of Personal Independence Payment assessments have prompted a surge of concern among claimants and advocacy groups. Central to the plan is a redefinition of the points-scoring system used to determine eligibility, with particular focus on the daily living component.
At the heart of this development lies a need to balance sustainable funding of non-means-tested disability benefits with fair access for individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions. Over 3.8 million people across the UK currently receive PIP, making it one of the most significant forms of financial support available for disabled individuals, according to the DWP.
Revised Points System Proposed for Daily Living Support
Under the proposed framework, claimants will still need to accumulate a minimum of eight points to qualify for the standard rate of the daily living component and twelve for the enhanced rate. However, unlike the current system, at least one of the selected descriptors must carry a score of four points or more, or the claim will not be successful, regardless of the total.
According to the independent site Benefits and Work, this adjustment is intended to ensure that those qualifying for PIP demonstrate a notable level of difficulty in at least one key daily task, such as preparing food, washing, managing medication or interacting socially. The proposed descriptors still cover ten core activities, and each one can award between zero and twelve points, depending on severity.
This change has sparked confusion among many current and prospective claimants, particularly as the existing eligibility model allows for cumulative points from several moderate impairments to reach the qualifying threshold. For instance, a combination of four descriptors scoring two points each would total eight, enough under the current system. Under the new rules, this would no longer suffice unless one descriptor scored at least four points independently.
To help users navigate these proposed adjustments, Benefits and Work have developed a trial version of the scoring test. It allows individuals to simulate how their assessment might be scored under the draft framework, either anonymously or by email. The DWP has emphasised, however, that these changes remain at the consultation stage, and no legal amendments have been enacted.
Consultation Period Ongoing as Stakeholders Weigh In
The DWP has pledged to update the public “shortly” on the outcome of the summer consultation, which collected responses from individuals, charities, healthcare professionals and disability advocacy organisations. Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, is expected to co-lead the formal review process scheduled for autumn 2026, in collaboration with experts and community voices.
Crucially, the proposed changes apply only to the daily living component of PIP. The mobility component, which assesses difficulties in moving around or planning journeys, will remain unchanged. Payment rates will also continue to rise annually in line with the September Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a 3.8% increase confirmed for the 2025 cycle.
PIP currently offers between £116.80 and £749.80 every four weeks, depending on award level. To evaluate eligibility, assessors consider how claimants carry out essential activities, including whether tasks can be completed safely, how long they take, and whether aids, appliances or assistance are needed.
