Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a financial support scheme for individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions. It is designed to help cover the additional costs associated with daily living and mobility challenges.
Recently, the UK government has proposed changes to the PIP points system, which will impact the eligibility and assessment process.
These updates aim to refine the criteria for determining who qualifies for support. The changes will affect many existing and future claimants.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the new PIP points system, how it works, and when the new rules will come into effect.
What is PIP and How Does It Work?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a government benefit designed to help individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions that affect their daily living or mobility. It is a replacement for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working-age adults in the UK.
PIP consists of two components:
- Daily Living Component: for individuals who struggle with everyday tasks such as cooking, eating, bathing, and managing medication.
- Mobility Component: for those who have difficulties moving around, planning journeys, or getting out independently.
Each component has two payment levels:
- Standard Rate: awarded to individuals with moderate difficulties.
- Enhanced Rate: given to those with severe difficulties requiring significant assistance.
PIP is tax-free, paid every four weeks, and does not depend on employment status, income, or savings. It can be claimed by those in work or those who are unemployed.
What Are the Current PIP Eligibility Criteria?
To be eligible for PIP, claimants must meet specific criteria. These include:
- Being aged 16 or over and below State Pension age.
- Having a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
- Experiencing significant difficulty with daily living activities or mobility.
- Expecting these difficulties to last for at least 12 months.
The PIP assessment evaluates the extent of a person’s difficulties in daily life. It does not assess specific conditions but instead looks at how the condition affects the ability to perform essential tasks.
How is the PIP Assessment Scored?
The PIP assessment uses a points-based system to determine eligibility and payment level. A health professional evaluates the claimant’s ability to complete various tasks, assigning points based on the level of difficulty experienced.
The assessment covers two main areas:
- Daily Living Activities: includes preparing and eating food, washing, dressing, communicating, and managing treatments.
- Mobility Activities: includes moving around, planning a journey, and navigating public spaces.
Each activity is scored between 0 and 12 points, with higher scores indicating more severe difficulties. The table below outlines how points translate into payment levels:
| PIP Component | Standard Rate | Enhanced Rate |
| Daily Living | 8 – 11 points | 12+ points |
| Mobility | 8 – 11 points | 12+ points |
If a claimant scores below 8 points in either category, they do not qualify for PIP.
What Are the Key Changes in the New PIP Points System?
The government is implementing changes to the PIP points system to refine eligibility and assessment criteria. Key updates include:
- Higher thresholds for eligibility: Claimants must now score at least four points on one individual item rather than accumulating smaller scores across multiple areas.
- Stricter daily living assessments: The government is tightening the requirements for qualifying under the daily living component, potentially affecting claimants with mild to moderate conditions.
- Increased reassessments: More frequent reviews will be required for individuals whose conditions may improve over time.
Under the new system, scoring will be adjusted for specific tasks. For example:
- Needing help to wash hair or lower body: awarded two points.
- Needing help to wash between shoulders and waist: awarded four points, meeting the new eligibility threshold.
These changes mean that individuals who previously qualified based on lower cumulative scores may no longer be eligible.
When Will the New PIP Rules Start?
The UK government has confirmed that the new PIP rules will take effect in November 2026.
- From November 2026, all new PIP applicants will be assessed under the revised points system.
- Existing claimants will gradually be reassessed under the new criteria, depending on their scheduled review dates.
Individuals currently receiving PIP will continue under the old system until their next reassessment. Those with permanent disabilities and the highest levels of need may be reassessed less frequently.
What PIP Scores Four or More Points?
The following table outlines Personal Independence Payment (PIP) activities that score four or more points, determining eligibility for different levels of support.
PIP Daily Living Activities – 4 or More Points
| Activity | Descriptor | Points |
| Preparing Food | Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal. | 4 |
| Preparing Food | Cannot prepare and cook food. | 8 |
| Taking Nutrition | Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition. | 4 |
| Taking Nutrition | Needs assistance to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition. | 6 |
| Taking Nutrition | Cannot convey food and drink to their mouth and needs another person to do so. | 10 |
| Managing Therapy or Monitoring a Health Condition | Needs supervision, prompting, or assistance to manage therapy (more than 3.5 but no more than 7 hours a week). | 4 |
| Managing Therapy or Monitoring a Health Condition | Needs supervision, prompting, or assistance to manage therapy (more than 7 but no more than 14 hours a week). | 6 |
| Managing Therapy or Monitoring a Health Condition | Needs supervision, prompting, or assistance to manage therapy (more than 14 hours a week). | 8 |
| Washing and Bathing | Needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist. | 4 |
| Washing and Bathing | Cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to wash their entire body. | 8 |
| Managing Toilet Needs or Incontinence | Needs assistance to manage toilet needs. | 4 |
| Managing Toilet Needs or Incontinence | Needs assistance to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel. | 6 |
| Managing Toilet Needs or Incontinence | Needs assistance to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel. | 8 |
| Dressing and Undressing | Needs assistance to dress or undress their upper body. | 4 |
| Dressing and Undressing | Cannot dress or undress at all. | 8 |
| Communicating Verbally | Needs communication support to express or understand complex verbal information. | 4 |
| Communicating Verbally | Needs communication support to express or understand basic verbal information. | 8 |
| Communicating Verbally | Cannot express or understand verbal information at all, even with support. | 12 |
| Reading and Understanding Signs, Symbols, and Words | Needs prompting to read or understand basic written information. | 4 |
| Reading and Understanding Signs, Symbols, and Words | Cannot read or understand signs, symbols, or words at all. | 8 |
| Engaging with Other People Face to Face | Needs social support to engage with other people. | 4 |
| Engaging with Other People Face to Face | Cannot engage with other people due to overwhelming psychological distress or risk of harm. | 8 |
| Making Budgeting Decisions | Needs prompting or assistance to make simple budgeting decisions. | 4 |
| Making Budgeting Decisions | Cannot make any budgeting decisions at all. | 6 |
PIP Mobility Activities – 4 or More Points
| Activity | Descriptor | Points |
| Planning and Following Journeys | Needs prompting to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress. | 4 |
| Planning and Following Journeys | Cannot plan the route of a journey. | 8 |
| Planning and Following Journeys | Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without assistance. | 10 |
| Planning and Following Journeys | Cannot undertake any journey due to overwhelming psychological distress. | 10 |
| Planning and Following Journeys | Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without assistance. | 12 |
| Moving Around | Can stand and move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. | 4 |
| Moving Around | Can stand and move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. | 8 |
| Moving Around | Can stand and move using an aid/appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. | 10 |
| Moving Around | Can stand and move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. | 12 |
| Moving Around | Cannot stand or move more than 1 metre. | 12 |
How Much Will PIP Pay Under the New Rules?
The payment rates for PIP are not expected to change despite the updated assessment system.
| Component | Standard Rate | Enhanced Rate |
| Daily Living | £72.65 | £108.55 |
| Mobility | £28.70 | £75.75 |
PIP payments are tax-free and typically paid every four weeks. They do not count as income when calculating other benefits, making them accessible to those already receiving additional financial support.
How Will PIP Reassessments Change?
Reassessments are a key part of the PIP process, ensuring that claimants continue to receive the correct level of support. Under the new system:
- Frequent reassessments will be introduced for those with fluctuating or temporary conditions.
- Claimants with permanent disabilities at the highest level of need will no longer face mandatory reassessments.
- The duration of PIP awards may be adjusted, with some claimants receiving shorter or longer award periods based on their condition.
Currently, PIP is granted for fixed periods ranging from one to ten years, with a review at the end of each term. Under the new system, reassessment timelines may change depending on the claimant’s condition and level of need.
How Can You Prepare for the PIP Changes?
With the new rules set to take effect in 2026, claimants can take steps to prepare:
- Review medical records: Ensure that all documentation from healthcare professionals is up to date and reflects the current level of difficulty in daily living or mobility.
- Understand the new criteria: Familiarising yourself with the updated scoring system can help you determine whether you will still qualify for PIP.
- Seek professional advice: Disability organisations and legal aid services can provide guidance on how to present your case effectively.
- Gather supporting evidence: Statements from carers, doctors, or occupational therapists can strengthen a claim and clarify the extent of daily challenges faced.
By taking proactive steps, claimants can ensure they are well-prepared for reassessments under the new system.
Conclusion
The upcoming changes to the PIP points system are set to impact many existing and new claimants. With the new rules taking effect from November 2026, understanding the updated eligibility criteria and reassessment process is crucial.
While some claimants may face stricter assessments, others with severe conditions may benefit from fewer reviews. Staying informed and seeking professional guidance will be key to successfully navigating the changes.
FAQs
Will my PIP payments stop because of the new rules?
Not necessarily. If you still meet the eligibility criteria under the new scoring system, your payments will continue. However, some claimants may need to provide additional evidence to qualify.
How can I check if I still qualify for PIP under the new system?
You can review the revised points system and compare it to your current difficulties with daily living and mobility tasks. Consulting a PIP advisor can also help assess your eligibility.
What happens if I disagree with my new PIP assessment?
If you believe your assessment is incorrect, you can request a Mandatory Reconsideration and, if necessary, appeal the decision to a tribunal.
Are mental health conditions still eligible under PIP?
Yes, mental health conditions are still considered in PIP assessments, but the way they are scored may change under the new system.
How often will I need a PIP reassessment?
The frequency of reassessments will vary. Some claimants will face more frequent reviews, while those with permanent conditions may be exempt from reassessment.
Can I appeal a PIP decision under the new rules?
Yes, the appeals process remains the same. If you are denied PIP, you can challenge the decision through the official appeals process.
Where can I get help with my PIP claim?
You can seek support from organisations like Citizens Advice, Scope, or disability rights groups that specialise in PIP claims.
