People claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have an urgent deadline this August to register for workshops linked to a major government review of the benefit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is inviting disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to take part in a series of online and in-person sessions across the UK.
Review says benefit 'no longer fit for purpose'
The review, led by DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms, published an interim report in July 2026 indicating major changes are needed, stating the benefit is "no longer fit for purpose". PIP provides payments to help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities cover the extra costs of living with their condition.
As part of the review, the team wants to hear from disabled people and those with health conditions to inform their recommendations to the Government. The DWP has said it is inviting "disabled people and people with long-term health conditions" to participate in a "series of workshops" that will be "held online and in person across the UK".
Workshop dates and locations
These sessions will give participants a platform for "discussing, testing and refining the recommendations". You need to register your interest by 5pm on August to have a chance to take part. The workshops are scheduled as follows:
- September 15 - London - in person
- September 18 - Newcastle/Middlesbrough and surrounding areas - online
- September 22 - Bournemouth - in person
- September 22 - England and Wales all regions - online
- September 24 - Birmingham - in person
- September 25 - South Cardiff - in person
- September 29 - Norwich and surrounding areas - online
- September 29 - Glasgow - in person
- September 30 - Bangor - in person
- September 30 - England and Wales all regions - online
- October 1 - Belfast - in person
- October 1 - Liverpool - in person
- October 2 - York and the Humber, in Sheffield - in person
- October 6 - All Scotland - online
- October 7 - All Northern Ireland - online
Selection process and PIP rates
Successful applicants will be notified by September 4, 2026, ahead of the 15 roundtable sessions. Regarding who will be chosen, the DWP confirmed: "Selection will be done randomly but the steering group will review and ensure the people chosen represent a balanced range of characteristics." Where a particular characteristic is under-represented, applicants with that characteristic will be identified from the wider applicant pool and selected at random to fill any gaps.
Some four million people were claiming PIP as of April 2026, with the number of claimants projected to grow over the coming years. You can register your interest in taking part in the workshops on the Government website. The review team has already had more than 38,000 responses to its call for evidence, along with previous workshops and engagement with disabled people, organisations and experts.
PIP payments include a daily living part and a mobility part, with lower or enhanced rates for each element. How much you get depends on the extent to which your condition impacts you in either category. Current weekly rates are: Daily Living lower £76.70, higher £114.60; Mobility lower £30.30, higher £80.00.
