The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a significant operational overhaul of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system, with changes set to take effect from April 2026. The move is designed to tackle the substantial backlog of Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) by freeing up medical professionals to conduct more face-to-face evaluations.
What the PIP Changes Involve
Currently, the period between PIP award reviews can be as short as nine months, with most claimants seeing no change to their award when reassessed. Under the new rules, the majority of claimants aged 25 and over will see their review periods extended.
For new claims, the minimum award length will be set at three years. At their next review, if a claimant continues to qualify, their award could be extended for up to five years. Officials state this will allow health professionals to focus their efforts on conducting more initial assessments and WCA reassessments, which have been plagued by delays.
A Shift Back to Face-to-Face Assessments
A core part of the strategy is a major ramp-up in in-person assessments. This fulfils a government pledge made in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, which was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous contracts stipulated 80% of assessments should be virtual.
The government now plans to increase the proportion of face-to-face PIP assessments from just 6% in 2024 (around 57,000 cases) to 30% of all evaluations. A similar jump will apply to Work Capability Assessments, rising from 13% (74,000 cases) in 2024 to 30% across the board.
Financial Impact and Ministerial Justification
The financial implications of these reforms are substantial. The DWP estimates the measures will generate savings of £1.9 billion for UK taxpayers by the end of the 2030/31 financial year.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, defended the reforms, stating: "We're committed to reforming the welfare system we inherited, which for too long has written off millions as too sick to work."
He added that the government is "ramping up the number of assessments we do face-to-face and taking action to tackle the inherited backlog." McFadden concluded that the reforms aim to create a system that supports those in need while ensuring fairness for taxpayers.
The DWP emphasised that reassessments remain important to account for changes in health conditions over time. These operational changes are separate from the broader Timms Review, which is examining the fundamental purpose of PIP, its assessment criteria, and how it supports disabled people.
The April implementation will coincide with adjustments to Universal Credit designed to reduce the financial gap between support for unemployment and long-term sickness.
