The Department for Work and Pensions is planning significant changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system, but people with three specific conditions are least likely to be affected by the new criteria.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has proposed the alterations to cut the PIP budget by £5 billion.
The new eligibility criteria is set to be implemented from November 2026. Under the plans, PIP will focus more on those with higher needs, while maintaining existing eligibility requirements.
The new system that will require claimants to score at least four points on one daily living activity to qualify for support.
The Resolution Foundation has warned that these changes will significantly impact the living standards of hundreds of thousands of disabled people.
If the single change saves £5 billion as projected, between 800,000 and 1.2 million people could lose support by 2029-30.
This represents a substantial financial loss for affected individuals, amounting to either £4,200 for those on the standard rate Daily Living element or £6,300 for those receiving the enhanced rate.
Those most likely to be affected include people with lower-level needs across multiple activities.
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This includes individuals who need aids or appliances for daily tasks like cooking, eating, washing and dressing, but who aren't deemed completely unable to perform these activities.
According to previously-released data, people with three conditions are least likely to be affected by the new PIP criteria.
Those with learning difficulties, cerebral palsy and autism are expected to retain their benefits under the changes.
This is because individuals with these conditions typically score 21 points or more in the Daily Living part of the PIP assessment.
Such high scores make it very unlikely they would have passed the assessment without scoring four or more points in at least one of the headings.
The DWP has not yet released specific evidence on how the changes will impact different disability groups.
The Resolution Foundation stated that people who experience significant difficulties across one or more PIP activities will remain unaffected by the changes.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer defended the decision, claiming the benefits system was "morally and economically indefensible".
However, his position faced strong opposition from within his own party.
Diane Abbott, the longest-serving female MP, challenged the Prime Minister's stance, saying: "There is nothing moral about cutting benefits for what may be up to a million people," Abbott responded.
The DWP has committed to working alongside the Department of Health and Social Care to address the needs of those affected by the changes.
They aim to ensure that current PIP claimants who may no longer qualify under the new eligibility rules will still have their health and eligible care needs met.
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Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has proposed the alterations to cut the PIP budget by £5 billion.
The new eligibility criteria is set to be implemented from November 2026. Under the plans, PIP will focus more on those with higher needs, while maintaining existing eligibility requirements.
The new system that will require claimants to score at least four points on one daily living activity to qualify for support.
The Resolution Foundation has warned that these changes will significantly impact the living standards of hundreds of thousands of disabled people.
If the single change saves £5 billion as projected, between 800,000 and 1.2 million people could lose support by 2029-30.
This represents a substantial financial loss for affected individuals, amounting to either £4,200 for those on the standard rate Daily Living element or £6,300 for those receiving the enhanced rate.
Those most likely to be affected include people with lower-level needs across multiple activities.
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This includes individuals who need aids or appliances for daily tasks like cooking, eating, washing and dressing, but who aren't deemed completely unable to perform these activities.
According to previously-released data, people with three conditions are least likely to be affected by the new PIP criteria.
Those with learning difficulties, cerebral palsy and autism are expected to retain their benefits under the changes.
This is because individuals with these conditions typically score 21 points or more in the Daily Living part of the PIP assessment.
Such high scores make it very unlikely they would have passed the assessment without scoring four or more points in at least one of the headings.
The DWP has not yet released specific evidence on how the changes will impact different disability groups.
The Resolution Foundation stated that people who experience significant difficulties across one or more PIP activities will remain unaffected by the changes.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer defended the decision, claiming the benefits system was "morally and economically indefensible".
However, his position faced strong opposition from within his own party.
Diane Abbott, the longest-serving female MP, challenged the Prime Minister's stance, saying: "There is nothing moral about cutting benefits for what may be up to a million people," Abbott responded.
The DWP has committed to working alongside the Department of Health and Social Care to address the needs of those affected by the changes.
They aim to ensure that current PIP claimants who may no longer qualify under the new eligibility rules will still have their health and eligible care needs met.
Find Out More...