DWP pledges update ‘soon’ on PIP payments review | Personal Finance | Finance

October 28, 2025 3,441

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it will “provide an update shortly” on the feedback it received over the summer regarding the proposed review of changes to the eligibility process for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, will co-produce the review with contributions from disabled individuals, organisations, experts and other stakeholders.

Earlier this year, the DWP also confirmed that PIP payments will continue to rise annually in line with the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate, which is set to see 3.8 million claimants receive a 3.8 per cent uplift. However, PIP assessments are expected to change and the eligibility criteria is predicted to become more stringent in order to curb the escalating costs of the non-means-tested disability benefit.

Under the proposals – currently paused until the completion of Timms’ review next Autumn – to qualify for the daily living component of PIP, new and existing claimants will need to score four points in at least one of the 10 questions – and at least another four (in any combination) across the remaining sections – to qualify for the standard rate.

To assist those who may be somewhat perplexed by the proposed change, the team of benefits experts at the independent forum Benefits and Work, have adjusted their online ‘PIP test’ to include the proposed new scoring system. It is crucial to note that the DWP has not altered the PIP claims or eligibility process. This is merely an online tool designed to help PIP claimants understand how any changes might impact their award, reports the Daily Record.

Benefits and Work also offers a PIP test in line with the current DWP eligibility policy to assist anyone with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition, considering making a new claim understand the points scoring system. You can view this version here.

The Benefits and Work website clarifies: “We know from comments and emails that a lot of people are confused about how Labour’s proposed new PIP scoring system works. So we’ve created an online test to allow you to try the scoring system for yourself. You can try the test as many times as you want either anonymously or, if you prefer, provide your email address and get the results sent to your inbox as well as appearing onscreen.”

It is also crucial to remember that the proposed changes will not affect the mobility component; it will remain unchanged.

There are 10 questions on the daily living part of the PIP 2 evidence form. Each question has a list of responses, known as descriptors, and whichever descriptor you choose is awarded points. To be eligible for the daily living component, you require at least eight points for the standard rate and 12 or more for the enhanced rate. However, you must score a minimum of four in one of those questions to qualify.

Benefits and Work clarified: “If you select 4 descriptors scoring two points each, that will be 8 points but it will not qualify for an award. But if you select one descriptor scoring 4 points and two descriptors scoring 2 points, that will be 8 points and you will qualify for an award.”

You can take the new ‘PIP test’ online here.

The most recent data from the DWP reveals that by the end of July, over 3.8 million people were claiming PIP, which is now valued between £114.8 and £737.20 every four weeks.

Daily living component for PIP

You might get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with:

eating, drinking or preparing food
washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
dressing and undressing
talking, listening, reading and understanding
managing your medicines or treatments
making decisions about money
mixing with other people

How difficulty with tasks is assessed

The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks.

For each task, the DWP will 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, from a person or using extra equipment

The descriptors

Your ability to carry out each activity is measured against a list of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do. These are known as the descriptors. The health professional will advise the DWP which descriptor applies to you for each activity.

The Citizen’s Advice website has a comprehensive section dedicated to this, complete with a downloadable guide detailing the points awarded for each response – you can view this here. They provide an example of six descriptors for ‘Dressing and undressing’, which range from ‘Can dress and undress unaided’ to ‘Cannot dress or undress at all’.

Each descriptor carries a points score ranging from 0 to 12.

Using aids or appliances

Your ability to perform daily living activities and mobility activities will be evaluated as if you were utilising any aids or appliances that would be reasonable for you to use. This is applicable whether or not you typically use those aids or appliances. However, if you do use or require aids and appliances, this could help you to accumulate more points – find out more here.

Citizens Advice explains: “An aid is any item which improves, provides or replaces impaired physical or mental function. It doesn’t have to be specially designed as a disability aid. Examples include a stool you need to sit on when cooking, or a walking stick to help you stand.”

Daily living scores

Citizens Advice explains to get the daily living component of PIP, you must have a physical or mental condition that limits your ability to carry out some or all of the activities below.

The maximum amount of PIP points that can be awarded for that question are shown.

Daily living activity:

Preparing food – 8
Taking medication – 10
Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition – 8
Washing and bathing – 8
Managing toilet needs or incontinence – 8
Dressing and undressing – 8
Communicating verbally – 12
Reading and understanding symbols and words – 8
Engaging with other people face to face – 8
Making budgeting decisions – 6

PIP payment rates

A successful claim for PIP is currently worth between £29.20 and £187.45 each week in additional financial support. As the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £116.80 and £749.80 every payment period.

You will be paid the following amounts per week, depending on your award level:

Daily Living Component