PIP claimants with these ‘4 situations will hold profit’, DWP assessor says
EXCLUSIVE: Disability benefits expert James Merrell, who helps claimants through the PIP process, told the Daily Star what groups are likely to keep the the benefit and which are likely to lose it
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants with four conditions are likely to retain the benefit in the face of hefty cuts, a former assessor for the scheme has told the Daily Star. The tightening of PIP rules is estimated to cut 400,000 Brits from the scheme when they take effect in November next year.
To qualify for the daily living component – worth £72.65 or £108.55 per week – you need to undergo an assessment to determine how safely, quickly and efficiently you can perform 10 daily activities. Currently, claimants can qualify with a score of one or two across a number of categories.
Under the proposed changes taking effect in November 2026, applicants will need to score at least four points in one activity and at least eight overall to attain the lower payment – while 12 is needed for the upper band.
Former PIP assessor James Merrell told the Daily Star claimants with “advanced MS (Multiple sclerosis), motor neurone disease, late-stage cancer, or severe physical disabilities” are likely to retain the benefit.
He said: “Based on what we know so far, claimants with clear, long-term, and medically diagnosed physical impairments that affect mobility, or personal care may be more likely to keep their awards. This includes conditions like advanced MS, motor neurone disease, late-stage cancer, or severe physical disabilities that are visually or medically apparent and require obvious support.
“This would be a massive step backwards in disability rights. PIP was originally designed to account for how a condition affects someone not just what the condition is. Moving away from that opens the door to unfair assumptions and gatekeeping.”
The boss of CWS Limited, which helps claimants through the PIP application process, added that people with “fluctuating, invisible, or mental health conditions” are likely to be cut if the DWP moves towards a more medical-based approach.
He said: The government’s proposed changes to PIP criteria particularly if they shift to a more medical-model-based approach risk sidelining people with fluctuating, invisible, or mental health conditions.
“Those with mental health conditions, chronic fatigue syndromes, neurodivergent conditions (like ADHD or autism), or fluctuating illnesses (like fibromyalgia or long COVID) are likely to face more scrutiny under a ‘toughened’ framework which could require 4 points in one activity.”
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