The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced upcoming reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), confirming changes will affect individuals with a ‘light touch’ award, usually set for a decade. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, revealed in a new Green Paper that the plans are set to “plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP”.
He also mentioned enhancements to the information provided by DWP when issuing an ongoing PIP award, better support for claimants during reviews, and a “reviewing the length of time between ‘light touch’ reviews”. Sir Stephen’s remarks responded to a query from Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome regarding adjustments to “PIP reassessments for claimants suffering from longer-term degenerative conditions”.
In his written answer on Tuesday, Sir Stephen noted: “Award reviews are an important feature of Personal Independence Payment to ensure people receive the correct level of benefit, both for those whose needs will increase and those whose needs may decrease.”
He went on to explain: “People who receive the highest level of PIP and whose needs will not improve, receive a PIP award for a continuous period with a light touch review at the 10-year point. In the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working published on 18 March we outline plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP.
“These include improving the information we provide when we write to people about ongoing PIP award decisions, what support is offered between ‘light touch’ reviews and reviewing the length of time between ‘light touch’ reviews.”
The proposed welfare reforms are set to be implemented in November 2026 for new claimants. Existing claimants would not see any changes until their current award is due for review – the date of this can be found on your award letter, reports the Daily Record.
The latest DWP statistics reveal that at the end of January, approximately 3.7 million people across Great Britain were receiving PIP, now worth up to £749 every four weeks following the annual uprating on April 7. The data also shows that 1.5m PIP claimants have an ongoing award, of five years or longer, for a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition.
More than 58 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have a monthly award of up to £737.20 (rising to £749 this month) for five years or more.
Over half of the individuals with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been granted a longer award, and 49.5% of those with neurological conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy are also receiving extended support.
According to the latest PIP Handbook, the decision maker will determine the PIP award based on how the claimant’s health condition or disability affects their daily life and independence. The handbook notes: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.”
It’s crucial to note that DWP guidance indicates most awards will undergo regular reviews “regardless of the length of the award” to ensure that recipients continue to get the correct level of support. Some individuals will receive a fixed-term award for up to two years, which DWP states will not be subject to review. These non-reviewable limited awards are given when it is reasonable to expect the claimant’s health to improve.
A ‘light touch’ review is typically awarded to claimants who have:
DWP guidelines clarify that claimants in this category typically avoid face-to-face assessments during reviews. The annual increase of 1.7 per cent will result in individuals on disability benefits receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 weekly, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four weeks. Over the financial year, those on the highest awards will receive an additional £9,747.
It’s crucial to note that the maximum amount of £749.80 is based on someone receiving the highest award for both daily living and mobility components.
It’s essential to understand that people with varying health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or longer. The award is dependent on how the condition impacts the claimant.
The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards given to claimants as of the end of January 2025.
Visual disease
58,685
34,692
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
682,391
341,434
50.8%
Neurological disease
468,113
230,412
Respiratory disease
138,376
64,835
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
19,542
8,697
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
426,038
185,916
44.6%
Total number of PIP claimants
3,694,536
1,501,215
41%
You will be paid the following amounts per week from April 7, depending on your award:
Daily living
Mobility
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