PIP supports people who live with a long-term health condition
A DWP minister has provided an update regarding legal changes to PIP (Personal Independence Payment). The statement comes as a sweeping review of the benefit is currently under way.
PIP supports millions of people across the UK, helping to cover the additional costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. The support comprises higher and lower rates of payment for both a daily living element and a mobility element.
Labour had previously outlined plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for the benefit. However, following substantial opposition from MPs, including numerous Labour backbenchers, these plans were shelved.
PIP review underway
Ministers are now conducting a review of the benefit, and have confirmed there will be no changes to the qualifying rules until this review is concluded. The review will look at the role and purpose of PIP, and how it can be reformed to become fairer and to more accurately reflect the experiences of those living with long-term health conditions.
With the possibility of significant changes on the horizon, Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley submitted a written question in Parliament. He asked the Government how any changes would be implemented, in particular whether they would be “laid as a negative, or positive, statutory instrument, or as a bill”.
DWP minister responds
DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms, who is leading the review, issued a response. He said that the Government is unable to provide a definitive answer on this matter while the review remains ongoing.
Mr Timms explained: “As the Government is not entering the review with a fixed set of outcomes, and the steering group is responsible for developing its recommendations, I cannot pre-empt the conclusions of this work. For that reason, it is not possible at this stage to determine what legislative vehicle may be required to implement any changes arising from the review.”
However, he did confirm a timeline for the PIP review later this year. Mr Timms said: “The review is expected to report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in autumn 2026, and its outcomes will be reported to Parliament, where there will be a general debate on the Review in Government time.”
He also outlined the aims of the review. The minister said: “The Government has launched the Timms Review to ensure we have a system that supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.
“The review is being co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, carers, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard.”
PIP payment amounts
PIP payments consist of a daily living component and a mobility component, each with lower and higher rates. Claimants can receive either rate for one component while receiving nothing for the other.
Current weekly payment rates are as follows:
Daily living component
- Lower – £76.70
- Higher – £114.60.
Mobility component
- Lower – £30.30
- Higher – £80.
This means the maximum weekly amount stands at £194.60, equivalent to roughly £10,119.20 annually, or just over £843 per month. Payments are made every four weeks, so the top sum you can receive in each payment period is £778.40.
