Major new legislation from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) comes into force on Thursday, April 30, 2026, significantly impacting claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit, and new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The UK government's 'Right to Try' legislation allows disabled benefit claimants to attempt work without immediately losing their benefits.
New Rules Explained
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms confirmed that the scheme enables people to look for work without having their benefits reassessed and potentially stopped. In a parliamentary statement, he said: 'We are determined that disabled people should have the confidence to try work. Our 'right to try' legislation will come into force on Thursday. People claiming universal credit, new style employment support allowance and personal independence payment can take steps towards employment and be confident that doing so will not automatically trigger benefit reassessment.'
Who Is Affected?
The Right to Try applies to claimants of:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Universal Credit (UC) assessed as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA) placed in the Work-Related Activity Group or Support Group
- Those receiving both UC and New Style ESA with a single LCW or LCWRA assessment outcome
The legislation also guarantees that volunteers can offer their time without fear of benefit reassessment, helping people move closer to employment.
Government Investment
The changes are part of the government's drive to unlock work for sick or disabled people and boost living standards, backed by a £3.5 billion investment in tailored employment support by the end of the decade. Sir Stephen Timms remarked: 'Giving sick and disabled people legal protection to try work without fear is vital for their futures and for growing our economy. It's part of the work we're doing to bear down on the cost of living and boost living standards for sick or disabled people in every corner of the country.'
Addressing Concerns
Labour MP Ben Coleman raised concerns about young disabled people under 22 potentially losing universal credit health payments. Sir Stephen responded that there is an urgent need to address the rise in young people not in work, education, or training. He noted that Alan Milburn's review on the NEET problem will report in September, and the government will wait before deciding whether to delay access to the UC health element until age 22, with exceptions if implemented.
The legislation aims to prevent people from being stranded on benefits due to fear of trying work. A DWP survey found that 37 percent of disabled people and those with health conditions want to work but are held back by fear of losing benefits.
Expert Endorsement
Brian Dow, Chief Executive of Mental Health UK, welcomed the initiative: 'People often tell us that fear of reassessment, or even losing essential support if things don't work out, is a significant barrier to taking those first steps back into work. The Right to Try is a positive and practical step that will ensure people have a safety net when exploring opportunities for work or volunteering.'
It is important to note that while entering work will not itself trigger reassessment, any reassessment already due will continue as normal.
