DWP announces Pip changes affecting all 4m claimants
The UK government is introducing changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system, setting minimum award reviews at three years for new claims and five years for subsequent reviews if entitlement continues. The move aims to reduce the frequency of reassessments, lessen pressure on claimants, and free up health professionals' capacity. Face-to-face assessments will increase from 6% to 30%, and a broader review of PIP led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms is ongoing. The changes have been welcomed by disability charities, though concerns remain about the impact of more in-person reviews.
- ▪The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will set minimum PIP review periods at three years for new claims and five years for continuing claims.
- ▪Around 60% of current PIP reviews result in no change to the award, according to the DWP.
- ▪Face-to-face PIP assessments will rise from 6% in 2024 to 30% of all assessments.
- ▪Disability minister Sir Stephen Timms is leading a review of PIP, with findings expected in autumn 2026 and a call for evidence open until May 28.
- ▪The changes follow previous backlash over proposed PIP eligibility restrictions, which were dropped after opposition from MPs and disability groups.
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NewsUKHome NewsDWP announces Pip changes affecting all 4m claimantsExclusive: The reforms will remove ‘unnecessary pressure’ from claimants, Labour minister saysAlbert Toth Tuesday 28 April 2026 08:33 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:2965399To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dwp-pip-award-review-changes-health-labour-b2966097.html","title":"DWP announces Pip changes affecting all 4m claimants"}}Martin Lewis issues urgent ‘do not assume’ warning to universal credit claimantsYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more{}The UK’s millions of personal independence payment (Pip) claimants will soon be subject to new rules around health assessments under laws being laid by the government.The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed on Monday that it is moving to set all award reviews at a minimum of three years for new claims, rising to five years at their next review if the claimant remains entitled.In most cases, this will reduce the frequency of award reviews for Pip claimants, with the uncertainty around reassessments often cited as a key issue of the system.if (document.cookie.split(';').some(cookie => cookie.trim() === '__DEBUG__=true')) { console.log('Ad logs: "mpu1", renderedAtParagraph: 3'); }if (document.cookie.split(';').some(cookie => cookie.trim() === '__DEBUG__=true')) { console.log('Ad logs: "mpu1", injectedAtParagraph: 3'); }The DWP notes that around 60 per cent of reviews currently result in no change of award, and still encourages claimants whose needs change to notify the department.Currently claimed by 3.9 million people, Pip is designed to help with extra costs incurred by living with an illness or disability.The health benefit is currently under review by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, who aims to make it “fair and fit for the future”. The review aims to report in the autumn of this year.open image in gallery{"id":"trigger-autogallery-26831","index":0}Sir Stephen Timms said the government will hold off making changes to the Pip eligibility criteria until he has finished a review into the payments (PA Wire)The payment was at the heart of Labour’s plans to axe welfare spending last year, when proposals to tweak its assessment criteria to effectively make it harder to claim were met with fierce opposition from campaign groups…
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