HUNDREDS of thousands of PIP claimants are set to lose access to the vital benefit when a key test comes into effect.
The way the benefit is assessed will change from November 2026, meaning a higher threshold of criteria has to be met.
From this date, anyone applying or reapplying for PIP will need to score a minimum of four points for at least one activity to receive the daily living component.
The higher rate of the daily living part is currently worth £110.40 a week.
Now, a new Freedom of Information (FOI) response submitted by Benefits and Work to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the change could lead to hundreds of thousands of people losing access to the benefit.
The FOI asked the DWP how many people currently on PIP would lose their entitlement to the benefit based on the changes from next November.
The response revealed around 209,000 people on the higher rate of the daily living part would lose out.
In addition, around 1,116,000 people on the lower daily living part would see payments cut.
Combined, this would mean around 1,325,000 people altogether miss out on the benefit.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has estimated this figure to be around 800,000 people by 2029/30.
However, this still means hundreds of thousands won’t be awarded the benefit or will have it cut following a reassessment from the end of next year.
A Government spokesperson said: “This data is partial. It doesn’t reflect that the majority of people who are currently getting PIP will continue to receive it, nor does it take into account our wider reforms to get people back in to work.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6345562212112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“This government will always protect the most vulnerable, it’s in our DNA.
“The social security system will always be there for those who need it most with severe health conditions, and we will ensure their income is protected.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D112532%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]“Too many people are being let down by a system that traps them out of work and holds them back.
“One in eight young people not working shows the system is broken. Our reforms will support those who can work – backed by £1 billion additional funding to guarantee tailored help.
“This government will support everyone to thrive.”
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a Government benefit for people under state pension age and 16 or older who need help with daily activities or getting around due to a long-term illness or disability.
Unlike other benefits, PIP is not means-tested, which means your income is not taken into account when deciding if you are eligible.
There are two different “components” to PIP – the daily living component and mobility component.
Both components are paid at two different rates based on your level of need – a standard rate and an enhanced rate.
The standard and enhanced rates for the daily living component are currently £73.90 and £110.40.
These respective rates for the mobility component are currently £29.20 and £77.05.
Depending on your long-term illness or disability, you may be eligible for both PIP components.
That means you can get up to a maximum of £187.45 a week.
PIP is usually paid every four weeks into the bank, building society or credit union account of your choice.
What exactly is the change?
Your entitlement to PIP is assessed by a health professional sent by the DWP.
They assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they look at:
- whether you can do it safely
- how long it takes you
- how often your condition affects this activity
- whether you need help to do it
Currently, this health professional then gives you an overall point score based on how well you can carry out the multiple daily living and mobility tasks.
However, from November next year, applicants will need to score a minimum of four points in at least one specific daily living activity to receive the daily living component.
The changes from next November don’t impact the mobility component.
As well as this change from next November, the DWP is also consulting on some other proposals.
This could see people on PIP with severe conditions exempt from undergoing further reassessments.
Meanwhile, currently, disability living allowance (DLA) is provided to children under the age of 16, after which they transition to PIP.
But the consultation is exploring the possibility of raising this transition age from 16 to 18.