The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) could recommend reducing the number of assessments that claimants with certain health conditions have to undergo. Disability advocates argue there is a "good case" for cutting these assessments, particularly for people with serious conditions that are well evidenced and not expected to improve.
Advocates call for fewer repeated assessments
As the review body prepares its final recommendations, financial help group Money Wellness says the assessment process could be improved. External relations manager Rebecca Lamb said: "Where someone has a serious condition that's well evidenced and isn't expected to improve, asking them to prove it repeatedly causes a lot of stress without producing much new information."
She added: "There's a good case for reducing those assessments, and the review is looking at fast-tracking people in that position."
Review findings so far
PIP provides payments to help cover the extra costs of living with a health condition or disability. The amount claimants receive depends on how their condition affects them, and applicants often have to be assessed by a medical professional.
The review's interim report said it had seen evidence that "the PIP functional assessment does not fully capture the extent or complexity of the impact of certain disabilities and health conditions". Many claimants also told the review group that the benefit was "not fit for purpose".
Caution on diagnosis-based qualification
Ms Lamb was asked whether allowing certain diagnosed conditions to qualify automatically could simplify the process. She said: "We'd be more cautious about treating a diagnosis as the whole picture, because two people with the same condition can have very different needs and very different costs."
She suggested: "A quicker route where the evidence is clear, with a fuller process for people whose circumstances are more complicated, seems a sensible balance."
Advice for claimants
Ms Lamb advised PIP applicants to keep records from their GP or consultant. She said: "Whatever's decided, it helps to keep copies of everything your GP or consultant gives you."
Useful records include letters, test results, care plans and prescriptions. She added: "Evidence is much easier to collect as you go along than to gather all at once when you're applying."
The final recommendations for the PIP review are expected to be published by November 2026.
Current PIP rates
PIP payments have two parts: Daily Living, for help with everyday tasks like cooking, washing or dressing, and Mobility, for help with walking or getting around. Claimants can receive standard or enhanced rates for one or both parts. PIP is tax-free, not based on income, and paid every four weeks.
Current rates are: Daily Living standard £76.70 a week (£306.80 every four weeks) and enhanced £114.60 a week (£458.40 every four weeks). Mobility standard is £30.30 a week (£121.20 every four weeks) and enhanced £80.00 a week (£320.00 every four weeks).
