The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is trialling a major change to how Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decisions are made, giving case managers more responsibility and reducing the role of health professionals. The Transformed Decision Making (TDM) process is currently being tested, but documents suggest it could be extended nationwide before a detailed evaluation is completed.
Pilot expansion planned before full evaluation
The Disability News Service reports that ministers are set to expand the TDM pilot this autumn, even though only early findings will be available by then. The scheme is part of the Health Transformation Programme, which aims to modernise the PIP service.
In response to parliamentary questions, DWP ministers have said the change will rebalance the decision-making process. Baroness Sherlock stated: “Transformed decision making aims to rebalance the decision-making process by refocusing Healthcare Professionals on providing clear, factual evidence, while reinforcing the role of DWP Case Managers to make the final decision using all available evidence.”
Trial phases and claimant numbers
The initial phase of the trial began on 16 March 2026, covering around 1% of PIP assessments. A second phase started on 1 June 2026, expanding to about 4% of assessments nationally. Minister of State for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said the second phase is expected to involve approximately 2,800 to 3,300 PIP customers per month.
The change means healthcare professionals will focus on assessing and recording factual evidence about the functional impacts of a customer's condition. They will no longer provide views on descriptor selection or award length.
Monitoring and evaluation
Baroness Smith wrote in July that the impact evaluation will explore whether there are differential outcomes by primary disabling condition. Research with provider and DWP staff will include observations and interviews, and decision-making quality will be monitored throughout the trial.
Regarding claimants with learning disabilities, Baroness Sherlock noted that fewer than one per cent of all PIP clearances in the year to April 2026 were for claimants with a learning disability as their primary condition. She said comparisons with the standard assessment route are unlikely to be meaningful due to the small numbers involved.
