The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it is preparing for a possible wider rollout of changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision-making next year. The department is currently testing an operational change under its Health Transformation Programme, now known as Evidence-led Decision Making.
Any decision to expand the approach in 2027 will depend on the results of ongoing evaluations and whether the department is ready to introduce it more widely.
Minister responds to parliamentary questions
The update was provided by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms in response to three written parliamentary questions from Labour MP Daniel Zeichner.
Mr Zeichner asked whether an evaluation of the approach, previously called Transformed Decision Making, would be published before a decision was taken on wider rollout. He also asked whether the DWP would publish outcomes broken down by claimants' primary disabling conditions and whether it had assessed the potential impact on mandatory reconsiderations, appeals and the resulting costs to HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
In his written response Sir Stephen said: "The Department is currently testing an operational change to decision making in PIP, as part of the Health Transformation Programme, now known as Evidence-led Decision Making."
He continued: "The Department is also undertaking preparatory work so that scaling can take place next year, if the evidence and operational readiness support that approach."
No assessment of appeals impact yet
The minister confirmed the DWP has not yet assessed whether the change could affect the number of claimants requesting mandatory reconsiderations or taking their cases to appeal.
He said: "No assessment of the impact of the change on mandatory reconsiderations and appeals has been made at this point."
Sir Stephen added: "Evaluation activity is continuing and future implementation decisions will continue to be informed by emerging evidence."
The DWP also intends to publish evaluation evidence, although the minister did not provide a publication date or confirm the findings would be released before a wider rollout decision.
He said: "We will publish the evaluation evidence in due course and we will look at the feasibility of including a breakdown of outcomes by primary disabling condition as we collect more data to enable this analysis."
What the update means for PIP claimants
The parliamentary response confirms the DWP is testing a change to the way PIP decisions are made, but it does not announce a new assessment process or changes to eligibility.
It also does not confirm when the approach might be introduced more widely, how many claimants could be affected or whether the testing has produced different outcomes for particular health conditions.
The DWP said evidence gathered during the evaluation will inform future decisions.
People who disagree with a PIP decision can currently ask the DWP to look at it again through a process called mandatory reconsideration. If they remain dissatisfied after receiving the mandatory reconsideration notice, they can usually appeal to an independent tribunal.
Information about challenging a benefit decision is available on GOV.UK.
PIP is administered by the DWP in England and Wales, while Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP for people living in Scotland. ADP is administered by Social Security Scotland, which has its own application, decision-making and review arrangements.
The DWP's parliamentary response relates specifically to operational decision-making and is separate from the wider review of PIP being led by Sir Stephen Timms, which is considering potential changes to the benefit.
