PIP claimants can request key document from DWP before benefit changes next year | Personal Finance | Finance
Under new reforms announced last month, nearly 3.7 million individuals receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will face significant changes to eligibility from November 2026. PIP is a benefit for people who need help with daily living tasks or getting around due to a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition. If approved, new changes could make it more difficult for claimants to retain their entitlement to the benefit, particularly due to a key revision to the eligibility criteria for the daily living component.
Existing claimants won’t experience these changes until their next review date. Those concerned about whether they’ll still qualify should check their original award letter—rather than the annual adjustment letter—to determine when their review is scheduled. If your review is before November 2026 and the DWP clears the current backlog, your review should proceed, potentially resulting in a new award decision that could carry you past the critical date, reports the Daily Record.
If your award review date falls after November 2026, you will be subject to the newly proposed assessment changes and the revision of the points system for the daily living component. From that point, you must score at least four points in one of the 10 daily living questions to qualify for payment – even if scoring two points in every question takes you beyond the award thresholds of eight (standard rate) and 12 (higher rate).
The original award letter from DWP for PIP or from Social Security Scotland for ADP includes details of the points you accumulated for both the daily living and mobility sections of the application form.
However, if you’ve misplaced that letter, you can contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Social Security Scotland and request a copy of your claim form. This will allow you to see how many points you scored in each section for the daily living payment and verify whether you would still qualify under the new reforms.
It must be noted that this isn’t about trying to ‘cheat’ the system. Some individuals may have completed the PIP 2 evidence form a while back and can’t recall the descriptors they identified with. Others may have had someone else fill out the form for them, and some people’s conditions may have evolved over time, leading to different responses now.
But being aware of how you filled out the original form that resulted in your award might also give you confidence that the changes won’t affect you, or it could make you realise that you will lose entitlement and allow you to start planning for the change.
Filing for PIP online can simplify the process and allow you to save a copy of your application on your home computer or laptop for future reference. However, if you’re completing a paper-based form, it’s advisable to make a copy of the original document before submitting it.
If you don’t already have a copy of the PIP 2 evidence form – the health questionnaire you filled in prior to your assessment – you can request one by contacting the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433.
Those receiving ADP can reach out to Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
Other ways to prepare for benefit changes
Maintaining a diary is a crucial tool that all disability benefit claimants should utilise. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical diary; you can use your mobile phone, computer, laptop or tablet to note down ‘bad days’ and record significant events related to your condition.
You can create a specific note with the time and date where you can add things you might want to mention at a future PIP review or simply add it to the calendar function.
This doesn’t need to be a daily task, just jot down things that are relevant to how your condition affects you. This could include everyday tasks you found challenging to do safely on your own, forgetting to take medication, or feeling low or frustrated due to your condition.
It would also be beneficial to note down any difficulties you encounter while doing everyday activities.
Taking notes about your health condition, particularly if it fluctuates, can also be beneficial. It could make it easier to explain ‘good days and bad days’ to healthcare professionals and help you track the frequency of significant health events that might otherwise be forgotten.
Maintaining medical appointments related to your condition is also crucial to ensure your records are current. This could include sessions such as counselling or physiotherapy.
Reaching out to a charity or an organisation specialising in your condition could also be advantageous. They can provide expert advice and ensure you’re not missing out on any additional support.
For those claiming ADP, you can cite a charity or an organisation from which you’ve sought advice about your health condition, long-term illness, or disability, as supporting evidence.
These suggestions are just some of the measures individuals on disability benefits can take to safeguard their future payment award. By creating a personal evidence trail, it becomes easier to recall specific instances of how their condition impacts them.
You can participate in the UK Government’s consultation on proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on GOV.UK here.
