Government changes to Welfare Benefits - March 25

The Government has announced planned changes to some Welfare Benefits for those with health conditions. The following details the current understanding of these changes.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

There are two elements - a daily living component and a mobility component. Claimants may be eligible for one or both.

Under the Government's proposals, assessments for the daily living part will be tightened, potentially affecting a significant amount of people.

PIP assessments involve questions about tasks such as preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed. Each is scored on a scale from zero, for no difficulty to 12 for the most severe by a health professional.

From November 2026, the Government states a minimum of 4 points must be awarded for at least one activity and no longer from multiple scores of 1’s and 2’s for less severe difficulties over a range of tasks.

For example, needing help to wash your hair, or your body below the waist, would be awarded two points, but needing help to wash between the shoulders and waist would equate to four points.

The Government plans more frequent reassessments for many people claiming PIP. However, those with the highest levels of a permanent condition or disability will no longer require reassessment.

The Government confirmed there will be no changes to the mobility element.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) & Universal Credit (UC)

It was announced that work capability assessments are to stop by the end of 2028. 

The PIP assessment will be a single assessment for both PIP and the extra financial payment through UC. The Government are working on longer term plans which are expected to be complete by 30th June 2025.

Immediate changes for PIP Assessments

• Return to more face to face assessments
• Recording of assessments
• Reducing initial assessments for certain groups with very severe conditions

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Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

Under consultation to reform contribution based JSA and ESA, with a new time limited unemployment insurance expected in 2028/29. This will be paid at the rate of ESA with an expectation to actively seek work, with allowances for those with work limiting health conditions.

‘Right to Try’ work is to be introduced in 2026/27 without losing benefits. Those claiming are able to try to return to work which will not trigger a review of PIP or reassessment

Access to work - increase additional support, to work with employers to make workplaces accessible.  This is under consultation but is expected to continue as a DWP programme.

Benefits for young people - Youth Guarantee Claimants – will be unable to access the health element of Universal Credit (UC) until someone is 22 years old. The consultation will consider raising the age at which young people move from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children to PIP from 16 to 18.

Get in touch

We're here if you are concerned about how this effects you, or would like more information regarding the changes to welfare benefits for those with health conditions.

Simply fill in our Services Contact Form or call our Helpline on 0800 093 8543 and one of the team will be in touch.

All advice is free and fully confidential. 

The helpline is open 9am – 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Open 10am – 4.30pm on Wednesday. Excludes bank holidays.