The findings of a major review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are due to be presented to the government in November, with recommendations expected for reforming the non-means-tested disability benefit.
Andy Burnham's government is preparing to share the results of the Timms Review, which was launched in October 2025. The review aims to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future, supporting disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.
How PIP payments are calculated
How much someone receives in PIP depends on the points they are awarded during an assessment of how their condition affects everyday life. PIP supports people living with a disability or long-term health condition.
The government has pledged to keep it as a non-means-tested cash benefit for people both in and out of work. However, there are concerns that changes could make it harder for people with certain conditions to claim or lead to reduced payments for some households.
Who could be affected by the overhaul
Applications and payments through PIP have surged considerably in recent years, a trend largely attributed to younger adults claiming for conditions such as anxiety, depression and ADHD. It is understood that these claimants could be amongst those targeted in the disability benefits overhaul, expected in 2027.
This has prompted those on PIP to examine their entitlements to understand what might occur under a PIP reform.
Your rights if you already receive PIP
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can currently halt or decrease your PIP payment for several reasons. These include claimants failing to submit review forms or missing a telephone assessment or face-to-face interview without a valid explanation.
Another circumstance where PIP could be withdrawn is if the health condition someone is claiming for shows substantial improvement at a scheduled reassessment and they no longer satisfy the points threshold. The benefit can also be altered or withdrawn if the claimant relocates abroad or enters certain types of NHS-funded or residential care for an extended period.
Benefits could also be decreased or halted if someone receiving PIP fails to notify a change in circumstances, faces accusations of benefit fraud or the DWP recovers a benefit overpayment.
If someone claiming PIP is uncertain why the DWP halted or decreased their payment, they should review any correspondence the DWP has sent them or contact the PIP enquiry line and request an explanation.
