Thousands of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants across the UK are at risk of losing their financial support following sweeping changes introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Under new eligibility criteria set to be enforced from late 2026, an estimated 800,000 people could lose access to parts of their benefit, with around 400,000 expected to lose PIP entirely.
What is PIP?
PIP is a non-means-tested benefit designed to help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities manage the extra costs of daily living and mobility. It is divided into two components—daily living and mobility—with payments depending on the severity of a person’s condition. As of April 2025, the standard daily living rate has increased to £73.90 per week, while the enhanced rate is now £110.40.
Further information about PIP can be found on the official GOV.UK PIP page.
The Key Change: One-Activity Rule
The most controversial part of the DWP’s reform is the proposed change to assessment criteria. Currently, claimants accumulate points across multiple activities (e.g., dressing, preparing food, managing medications) to qualify for support. The new rule, however, requires individuals to score at least 4 points in a single activity within the daily living category to receive the daily living component.
This shift aims to simplify the system but is likely to have a major impact on people with a range of moderate disabilities who may not meet the new threshold under a single criterion.
According to an analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), nearly 90% of current recipients of the daily living component may no longer qualify under the updated rules. You can read more from the OBR’s fiscal projections here.
A Blow to Disabled Communities
Disability rights groups have raised concerns that the change disproportionately affects people with fluctuating or complex conditions such as mental health disorders, chronic pain, and cognitive impairments. Critics say that the proposed scoring system does not reflect the real-life challenges faced by many individuals.
“This is a huge step backward for disabled people,” said one disability campaigner. “It risks pushing hundreds of thousands into poverty and isolation.”
In addition to the scoring changes, the DWP has announced the discontinuation of the £750 New Vehicle Payment and the £100 New Product Payment for powered wheelchairs and scooters under the Motability scheme starting January 3, 2025. The Motability charity helps people with mobility needs access specially adapted vehicles, and this change is expected to reduce the accessibility of these services.
More on the Motability Scheme is available at motability.co.uk.
Political Fallout
The proposed reforms are already shaking up the political landscape. A recent analysis revealed that in nearly 200 parliamentary constituencies, the number of PIP recipients exceeds the majority held by the current MP. This puts pressure on the Labour Party, whose leadership proposed the changes, as they risk losing dozens of marginal seats in the next general election.
According to The Guardian, internal party estimates suggest that up to 50 Labour MPs are considering rebelling when the proposed changes are brought to a vote in June. One MP warned that this could be “Labour’s poll tax moment”—a reference to the deeply unpopular tax reforms that triggered protests in the early 1990s.
Official Justification and Planned Study
The DWP insists the changes are part of a broader effort to make disability support “more targeted and efficient.” Ministers argue the current system is unsustainable as PIP spending continues to rise annually, with over 3.4 million people currently receiving the benefit.
In response to mounting criticism, the DWP has pledged to commission a comprehensive study on how claimants use PIP payments, with results expected in summer 2025. Officials claim the findings will guide further reforms.
More about the government’s broader disability support strategy can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions page.
What’s Next?
The reforms are not yet final. Public consultations are ongoing, and Parliament is expected to debate the legislation in June 2025. Until then, advocacy groups, MPs, and citizens continue to campaign for more inclusive and evidence-based policies.
If you are currently receiving PIP or plan to apply, you can check your eligibility and track policy changes via the official PIP overview.
Final Thought
As the government prepares to roll out the most significant overhaul to PIP since its introduction, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For many, these payments are more than just financial support—they are lifelines that enable independence, dignity, and basic quality of life. While fiscal responsibility is vital, the approach must be balanced with compassion and a clear understanding of the daily realities disabled people face. With Parliament gearing up for a crucial vote and public scrutiny intensifying, the coming months will be pivotal not just for policy—but for the lives of millions who rely on PIP to survive and thrive.
