The reforms are being introduced through the Health Transformation Programme, which aims to change how people apply for and manage disability benefits by introducing digital options, improving evidence gathering and creating a more tailored process for claimants.
The update comes as the government continues its review of PIP, with the Timms Review examining possible future changes to the benefit system. The review has published emerging recommendations but has not yet issued its final report.
Digital PIP Services Expand as Online Applications Become More Widely Available
More than 90% of new PIP applicants can now submit their health information online after beginning their claim by phone, according to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State. He said the option was being extended to all customers and that future developments would allow claimants to view application progress and report changes of circumstances online.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions’ Health Transformation Programme Management Information published in September 2026, the digital self-service route recorded 90,134 registrations and 76,490 Health Information Gather form submissions between July 2023 and July 2026.
The online “Apply for PIP” service first launched on 27 July 2023 for selected groups and postcode areas. A separate invited digital service was introduced on 24 June 2024 for people who started their claim through the telephone route and were then asked to complete their health information online.
The DWP said the invited digital service was expanded to all telephone agents from 12 July 2024 and later extended to Wales with a Welsh language option from 15 October 2025. Together, these services form the digital application route for PIP. The latest figures show that invited digital Health Information Gather submissions reached 611,898 between June 2024 and July 2026. In the 12 months to July 2026, there were 316,339 invited digital submissions, according to the DWP.
The Health Information Gather form is the digital equivalent of the PIP2 form used in the existing process. The department notes that not all applicants who register an application will go on to submit the form, and some may provide information later.
Health Assessment Service Trials Continue in London and Birmingham
The Health Transformation Programme is also developing a new Health Assessment Service for PIP and some specialist benefits. The service is being tested on a smaller scale in two Health Transformation Areas in London and Birmingham.
According to the DWP, new PIP applications, reassessments and award reviews are being processed in-house for selected postcode areas within these locations. Between January 2023 and July 2026, there were 23,438 referrals for PIP assessments across the London and Birmingham Health Transformation Area postcode groups.
The DWP reported that 6,860 referrals were recorded in the 12 months to July 2026. This was lower than the previous reported 12-month period, reflecting changes to postcode coverage in Birmingham.
The department said referrals from Birmingham postcode districts B14, B17 and B19 were transferred to an external assessment provider from 29 May 2026, contributing to lower referral volumes in that area from June 2026.
The changes form part of a broader effort to redesign the PIP service. According to the Timms Review update published in September 2026, emerging recommendations include improving application forms, strengthening evidence processes, increasing accessible digital services and introducing more personalised support for people who need additional help.
The review stated that its recommendations are still being tested through workshops and discussions with disabled people, organisations and experts before final recommendations are submitted later in the year.
