DWP confirms actual dates for PIP and Universal Credit modifications to start out subsequent 12 months
The DWP has confirmed that changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit will not be introduced immediately, with the reforms set to be implemented from next year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that people can expect planned reforms for Universal Credit to start on April 2026. Meanwhile, proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are due to start from November 2026.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, said: “We (DWP) want to reassure anyone concerned that the changes to PIP eligibility and rebalancing of Universal Credit aren’t coming into effect immediately.”
This assurance came as Sir Stephen responded in writing to Labour MP Paul Foster’s question about how the tweaks to PIP eligibility might affect the daily living component, reports the Daily Record.
Going into more detail, the DWP minister said: “The assessment of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), published at the Spring Statement, is that most of the current claimants of PIP daily living who did not score four points in any of the activities at their last assessment will, nevertheless, because of behaviour changes, be awarded PIP daily living again after the proposed eligibility changes take effect.”
He added: “There will be no immediate changes. We want to reassure anyone concerned that the changes to PIP eligibility and rebalancing of Universal Credit aren’t coming into effect immediately. Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from April 2026 for UC and November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval.”
Sir Stephen says those on Universal Credit with the most severe, life-long conditions, which render them unable to work now or in the future, will not be subjected to reassessments.
He further revealed that changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are slated for implementation from November 2026 for new claims and reviews, subject to parliamentary approval. He said: “The average award review is about three years. At your next review, you will be seen by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, and assessed on your individual needs and circumstances.”
In addition, Sir Stephen mentioned that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is considering support measures for individuals impacted by the eligibility changes, including addressing health and care needs. He clarified that PIP is not awarded based on the health condition itself, but rather the “functional disability as the result of one or more conditions and it is the additional costs of the sum of that disability that PIP is awarded for”.
A comprehensive review of the PIP assessment, spearheaded by Sir Stephen, is also in the pipeline. This will involve experts, stakeholders, and individuals with first-hand experience to determine the most effective approach.
The DWP estimates that changes to the eligibility rules for the daily living component of PIP could see around 370,000 current claimants lose their entitlement when their award is reviewed during the 2029/30 financial year. According to an impact assessment published in March, it’s also predicted that 430,000 future PIP claimants will not qualify for the disability benefit once the reforms are implemented, with an average loss of £4,500 each year.
The DWP has carried out an analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity across 18 of the most common disabling conditions. These conditions were selected as they represent the highest proportions of PIP caseloads.
DWP analysis of current daily living awards
In terms of current daily living awards, the DWP’s notes on the analysis state that the health condition category is based on the primary health condition as recorded on the PIP Computer System at the time of the latest assessment. Many claimants have multiple health conditions but only the primary condition is available for analysis.
The list below shows PIP health conditions, the number of claimants receiving the PIP daily living component and the number of claimants awarded less than four points in all daily living activities at the end of January 2025.
- Respiratory Diseases – 83,000 claimants, with 55% scoring less than 4 points.
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders – 206,000 claimants, with 6% scoring less than 4 points.
- Other Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases – 136,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points.
- Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases – 47,000 claimants, with 24% scoring less than 4 points.
- Chronic Pain Syndromes – 173,00 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points.
- Cardiovascular Diseases – 61,000 claimants, with 62% scoring less than 4 points.
- Other Neurological Diseases – 97,000 claimants, with 36% scoring less than 4 points.
- Psychotic Disorders – 112,000 claimants, with 23% scoring less than 4 points.
- Other Psychiatric Disorders – 90,000 claimants, with 28% scoring less than 4 points.
- All Other Conditions – 272,000 claimants, with 46% scoring less than 4 points.
- Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases – 80,000 claimants, with 48% scoring less than 4 points.
- ADHD / ADD – 75,000 claimants, with 19% scoring less than 4 points.
- Learning Disabilities – 188,000 claimants, with 3% scoring less than 4 points.
- Epilepsy – 36,000 claimants, with 30% scoring less than 4 points.
- Cancer – 70,000 claimants, with 33% scoring less than 4 points.
- Arthritis – 279,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points.
- Cerebrovascular Diseases – 56,000 claimants, with 34% scoring less than 4 points.
Other disabling condition groups which cover smaller proportions of the PIP caseload are covered in the ‘Other Conditions’ category. This includes:
- Visual Diseases
- Other General Musculoskeletal Diseases
- Endocrine Diseases
- Hearing Disorders
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Genitourinary Diseases
- Skin Diseases
- Autoimmune Diseases (Connective Tissue Disorders)
- Infectious Diseases
- Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder or Biliary Tract
- Haematological Diseases
- Metabolic Diseases
- Multisystem and Extremes of Age
- Diseases of the Immune System
Anxiety and depression
- Anxiety disorders – Other / type not known
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Stress reaction disorders – Other / type not known
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Phobia – Specific
- Phobia – Social
- Agoraphobia
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Anxiety and depressive disorders – mixed
- Conversion disorder (hysteria)
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
- Dissociative disorders – Other / type not known
- Somatoform disorders – Other / type not known
- Depressive disorder
- Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania)
- Mood disorders – Other / type not known
Daily living component for PIP: You might get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with how difficulty with tasks is assessed.
The DWP will evaluate how challenging you find everyday living and mobility tasks.
For each task, the DWP will consider:
- whether you can do it safely
- how often your condition affects this activity
- how long it takes you
- whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
The descriptors
Your ability to perform each activity is gauged against a set of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do.
These are referred to as the descriptors. The health professional will advise the DWP which descriptor applies to you for each activity.
The Citizen’s Advice website has an entire section dedicated to this along with a downloadable guide to all the points awarded for each response. An example they use is there are six descriptors for ‘Dressing and undressing’, ranging from ‘Can dress and undress unaided’ to ‘Cannot dress or undress at all’.
Each descriptor carries a points score ranging from 0 to 12.
Using aids or appliances
Your ability to carry out the daily living activities and the mobility activities will be assessed as if you were wearing or using any aids or appliances it would be reasonable for you to use.
This applies whether or not you normally use those aids or appliances. However, if you use or need aids and appliances, this can help you to score more points.
Citizens Advice explains: “An aid is any item which improves, provides or replaces impaired physical or mental function. It doesn’t have to be specially designed as a disability aid. Examples include a stool you need to sit on when cooking, or a walking stick to help you stand.”
Daily living scores
Citizens Advice has outlined that to qualify for the daily living component of PIP, individuals must have a physical or mental condition that restricts their ability to perform certain activities. The maximum number of PIP points that can be awarded for each question is indicated.
Daily living activity:
- Preparing food – 8
- Taking medication – 10
- Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition – 8
- Washing and bathing – 8
- Managing toilet needs or incontinence – 8
- Dressing and undressing – 8
- Communicating verbally – 12
- Reading and understanding symbols and words – 8
- Engaging with other people face to face – 8
- Making budgeting decisions – 6
Points and payment rates
After answering all the daily living activity questions:
- If you get between 8 and 11 points in total – you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP
- If you get at least 12 points in total – you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP
After answering all the mobility activity questions:
- If you get between 8 and 11 points in total – you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP
- If you get at least 12 points in total – you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP
You can participate in the UK Government’s consultation on the proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on GOV.UK here. The consultation will close on June 30, 2025.
