Hundreds of thousands of PIP claimants to lose vital benefits when key test comes into effect
HUNDREDS of thousands of PIP claimants are set to lose access to the vital benefit when a key test comes into effect.
The way the benefit is assessed will change from November 2026, meaning a higher threshold of criteria has to be met.
From this date, anyone applying or reapplying for PIP will need to score a minimum of four points for at least one activity to receive the daily living component.
The higher rate of the daily living part is currently worth £110.40 a week.
Now, a new Freedom of Information (FOI) response submitted by Benefits and Work to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the change could lead to hundreds of thousands of people losing access to the benefit.
The FOI asked the DWP how many people currently on PIP would lose their entitlement to the benefit based on the changes from next November.
The response revealed around 209,000 people on the higher rate of the daily living part would lose out.
In addition, around 1,116,000 people on the lower daily living part would see payments cut.
Combined, this would mean around 1,325,000 people altogether miss out on the benefit.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has estimated this figure to be around 800,000 people by 2029/30.
However, this still means hundreds of thousands won’t be awarded the benefit or will have it cut following a reassessment from the end of next year.
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a Government benefit for people under state pension age and 16 or older who need help with daily activities or getting around due to a long-term illness or disability.
Unlike other benefits, PIP is not means-tested, which means your income is not taken into account when deciding if you are eligible.
There are two different “components” to PIP – the daily living component and mobility component.
Both components are paid at two different rates based on your level of need – a standard rate and an enhanced rate.
The standard and enhanced rates for the daily living component are currently £73.90 and £110.40.
These respective rates for the mobility component are currently £29.20 and £77.05.
Depending on your long-term illness or disability, you may be eligible for both PIP components.
That means you can get up to a maximum of £187.45 a week.
PIP is usually paid every four weeks into the bank, building society or credit union account of your choice.
What exactly is the change?
Your entitlement to PIP is assessed by a health professional sent by the DWP.
They assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they 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
Currently, this health professional then gives you an overall point score based on how well you can carry out the multiple daily living and mobility tasks.
However, from November next year, applicants will need to score a minimum of four points in at least one specific daily living activity to receive the daily living component.
The changes from next November don’t impact the mobility component.
As well as this change from next November, the DWP is also consulting on some other proposals.
This could see people on PIP with severe conditions exempt from undergoing further reassessments.
Meanwhile, currently, disability living allowance (DLA) is provided to children under the age of 16, after which they transition to PIP.
But the consultation is exploring the possibility of raising this transition age from 16 to 18.
The Sun has approached the DWP for comment.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories