DWP dispels misunderstanding over PIP as 'this group won't qualify'

The DWP has spelled out the rules over who qualifies for PIP (Personal Independence Payment). The benefit helps cover the extra costs of individuals who live with a long-term health condition or disability.

Payments include a daily living part and a mobility element, with different rates for each part depending on how much you are affected in either area.

The benefit is worth up to a £187.45 a week, or £749.80 each four-week pay period, if you get both the higher rates.

There are hundreds of different health conditions that could qualify you for the cash, as long as your condition has affected you for at least three months and you expect to continue to be impacted for at least another nine months.

Liberal Democrat MP, Liz Jarvis, asked the DWP in a written question in Parliament, if the department had made an assessment of how upcoming changes to PIP eligibility could impact "blind and partially sighted people".

A new qualifying rule is to be added to receive the daily living part, meaning you have to score at least one 4 on one of the activities to get this element. This means people who get straight 2s across the 10 activities, currently qualifying them for the higher rate, could no longer be eligible.

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In response to the question, DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms clarified: "Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is assessed on needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability rather than the health condition or disability itself. Individuals can be impacted by their health conditions in different ways and the assessment considers the effect on a person’s day to day life."

He said that the Government will publish more information about how the changes to PIP eligibility will affect claimants "in due course".

DWP estimates suggest that during the 2029/2030 tax year, some 800,000 people will no longer be eligible for the daily living element under the new rules. This will include 370,000 current claimants and 430,00 future claimants.

Losing out on the daily living part would mean a £73.90 a week cut in payments at the lower rate, or £3,842.80 a year, or a £110.40 a week reduction at the higher rate, a £5,740.80 a year loss of income. But the drop in payments will actually be more, as the changes are coming in from November 2026, and payments usually go up each April in line with inflation.

Benefit experts have warned that losing out on PIP could have major consequences. Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at , said: "PIP was designed to recognise the extra costs of living with a disability; not just to assess what a person can do with support.

"Removing or reducing this help based on assumptions about how people might cope could push more vulnerable people into poverty and make existing health inequalities worse." She explained how the extra costs can vary: "The extra costs for aids and appliances can vary a lot depending on the person’s condition and what support they need.

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"Some people might only need a few low-cost items, like grab rails or a walking stick, while others might need more expensive equipment such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or specialist beds, which can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. There are also ongoing costs to think about, like maintenance, batteries, or upgrades.

"Plus, many people face extra costs in other areas too, like transport, heating, or help with daily tasks. Estimations put it at an extra £900 a month when compared to the needs of those without disabilities."