DWP hits back at claims that 3.2 million families will lose out on PIP payments

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has swiftly rebutted allegations that impending alterations to disability benefits will slash support for 3.2 million households. Steve Darling, Lib Dem spokesperson for work and pensions, quizzed the Government about the "economic impact" of planned modifications to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

During a parliamentary session on Monday, Darling highlighted concerns regarding the proposed changes to PIP from November 2026, warning that over 3,000 inhabitants in his Torbay constituency could "lose the lifeline that is PIP".

Additionally, he remarked: "When one looks at other elements of the Green Paper across the country, 3.2 million families are set to lose out under this Green Paper, often those that benefit are from the most deprived communities in the United Kingdom."

In response, Ms Kendall pointed out: "The figures that he has are the number of people right now who may have less than four points on PIP, but I would say to him, these changes are not coming in overnight, they wouldn't be implemented until November next year. And many people's health conditions change, so it is not right to say that those are the exact numbers who would lose out."

Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) expressed concern about invisible disabilities, seeking reassurances for careful consideration in future decisions, reports .

Ms Kendall provided reassurance, affirming: "I can absolutely assure (Sir Roger) that we will make these changes carefully." Last week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) signalled upcoming changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) that will bolster crucial financial aid for two distinct clusters of claimants.

Social Security and Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms highlighted the sharper focus of PIP on "those with the greatest needs, who are unable to complete activities at all, or who require more help from others to complete them".

Yet, a new shift in eligibility rules this November left Sir Stephen acknowledging concerns: those achieving less than four points across any of the 10 daily living activities will be stripped of their monthly stipends of £295.60 or £441.60.

The DWP Minister’s comments came in a to Labour MP Noah Law, who asked if the Department would “make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people who accumulate points across multiple Personal Independence Payment activities, but do not score four points in any single activity, to retain their entitlement”.

Sir Stephen responded: “PIP is an important, non-means tested benefit for disabled people and people with health conditions - regardless of whether they are in or out of work.

“However, the rate of increases in claims and expenditure is not sustainable and has outstripped the growth in disability prevalence. Changes are needed that will control the spend on the welfare bill, while continuing to support those people with higher needs relating to their long-term health condition or disability.”

He continued: “In our we announced that we will introduce a new eligibility requirement to ensure that only those who score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity will be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. This requirement will need to be met in addition to the existing PIP eligibility criteria.

“This will focus PIP more on those with the greatest needs, who are unable to complete activities at all, or who require more help from others to complete them. This means that people who have lower needs only in the daily living activities (scoring three or less for each activity) will no longer be eligible for the daily living component of PIP.”

Sir Stephen added: “Our intention is that this change will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.”

The DWP estimates that proposed eligibility rule changes to the daily living component of PIP will result in 370,000 existing claimants losing their entitlement when their award is reviewed during the 2029/30 financial year. An impact assessment released in March predicts that 430,000 future PIP claimants will be ineligible for the disability benefit once the reforms are implemented, resulting in an average annual loss of £4,500 each.

The DWP has analysed PIP claimants who didn't score four points in at least one daily living activity across 18 of the most prevalent disabling conditions. These conditions were selected as they represent the largest proportions of PIP caseloads.

DWP's analysis of current daily living awards

The DWP's notes on the analysis indicate that the health condition category is based on the primary health condition recorded on the PIP Computer System at the time of the latest assessment. While many claimants have multiple health conditions, only the primary condition is available for analysis.

The list below outlines PIP health conditions, the number of comments receiving the PIP daily living component, and the number of claimants awarded fewer than four points in all daily living activities as of the end of January 2025.

Arthritis - 279,000 claimants, with 13,000 (6%) scoring less than 4 points.

Other Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases - 136,000 claimants, with 97,000 (71%) scoring less than 4 points.

Chronic Pain Syndromes - 173,00 claimants, with 97,000 (71%) scoring less than 4 points.

Cardiovascular Diseases - 61,000 claimants, with 38,000 (62%) scoring less than 4 points.

Respiratory Diseases - 83,000 claimants, with 45,000 (55%) scoring less than 4 points.

Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases - Out of 80,000 claimants, 38,000 (48%) scored less than 4 points.

All Other Conditions - Of the 272,000 claimants, 126,000 (46%) scored less than 4 points.

Other Neurological Diseases - Among 97,000 claimants, 35,000 (36%) scored less than 4 points.

Cerebrovascular Diseases - From 56,000 claimants, 19,000 (34%) scored less than 4 points.

Cancer - Out of 70,000 claimants, 23,000 (33%) scored less than 4 points.

Epilepsy - Among 36,000 claimants, 11,000 (30%) scored less than 4 points.

Other Psychiatric Disorders - Of the 90,000 claimants, 25,000 (28%) scored less than 4 points.

Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases - From 47,000 claimants, 11,000 (24%) scored less than 4 points.

Psychotic Disorders - Out of 112,000 claimants, 26,000 (23%) scored less than 4 points.

ADHD / ADD - Among 75,000 claimants, 14,000 (19%) scored less than 4 points.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders - Of the 206,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points.

Learning Disabilities - From 188,000 claimants, 7,000 (3%) scored less than 4 points.

Other disabling condition groups with smaller proportions of the PIP caseload are included 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

You might be eligible for the daily living component of PIP if you require assistance with daily tasks. The DWP will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, the DWP will consider the descriptors.

Daily living component for PIP

You might get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with:

• eating, drinking or preparing food
• washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
• dressing and undressing
• talking, listening, reading and understanding
• managing your medicines or treatments
• making decisions about money
• mixing with other people

How difficulty with tasks is assessed

The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks.

For each task, the DWP will look at:

• whether you can do it safely
• how long it takes you
• how often your condition affects this activity
• whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment

Your capabilities are assessed against a set of standard statements, known as descriptors, which outline what you can or cannot do. The health professional will guide the DWP on which descriptor is applicable to you for each activity.

Citizen's Advice has an entire section dedicated to this, complete with a downloadable guide detailing the points awarded for each response - you can access it . For instance, 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 between 0 and 12.

Regarding aids or appliances

Your ability to perform daily living activities and mobility activities will be evaluated as if you were using any aids or appliances that would be reasonable for you to use.

This holds true whether or not you typically use those aids or appliances. However, if you utilise or require aids and appliances, this could help you accumulate more points - learn more here.

Citizens Advice clarifies: "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 clarifies that to qualify for the daily living component of PIP, your physical or mental health must hinder your ability to perform certain tasks.

The maximum number of PIP points you can score 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

The latest DWP figures show that at the end of January there were 3.7 million PIP claimants across Great Britain. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously noted that over 1,000 PIP claims are being granted daily, underscoring the need for welfare reforms to ensure future sustainability.

Subject to parliamentary approval, these proposed changes are set to take effect in November 2026. The reforms also propose an increase in face-to-face assessments. Currently, most are carried out remotely via phone calls, video calls, or paper-based methods.

However, PIP payments will not be frozen. They will remain non-means-tested and will rise in line with the September inflation rate. There will be no alterations to the mobility component.

You can participate in the UK Government's consultation on the proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on GOV.UK . The consultation concludes on June 30, 2025.