The UK government reforms to PIP and other benefits are set to impact individuals who rely on this support.
The British Polio Fellowship (BPF) is here to support the polio community. If you are a polio survivor and worried by the proposed changes to welfare that were announced on Tuesday 18 March, contact us (details below) whether or not you are a member of the BPF.
Our Support Services team can explain the changes (based on the information currently available), advise you on how to complete a Personal Independence Payments (PIP) form, and talk you through an assessment or re-assessment.
In summary, the key changes include:
Key Changes to PIP:
Tighter Eligibility Criteria: Starting in November 2026, applicants will need to score at least four points in one daily living activity to qualify for the daily living component of PIP. This could impact both new applicants and existing claimants, especially when it comes to reapplying or undergoing reassessments once the new rules take effect.
Transition from Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to PIP: The government plans to phase out the WCA by 2028, transitioning to PIP assessments for all health-related financial support. This shift could affect older individuals currently assessed under the WCA.
Review of the PIP Assessment Process: The assessment process will undergo changes, including more frequent reassessments and additional face-to-face assessments for claimants. Those with the most severe and long-term conditions will not face reassessments under the proposed reforms.
Additional Key Points:
Inflation Adjustments: PIP payments will rise in line with inflation this year.
Tighter Eligibility: As of November 2026, it will be harder to qualify for the daily living component, potentially resulting in reduced payments for many people.
Increased Reassessments: While individuals with severe, long-term conditions will not face reassessments, many others will face more frequent reviews and face-to-face assessments.
Other Welfare Reforms:
Disability Benefits Overhaul: The government will introduce a minimum points threshold for PIP eligibility from November 2026. People will need to score at least four points in one of the daily living activities to qualify for the daily living component (excluding mobility).
Universal Credit Rebalancing: The health top-up in Universal Credit for new claimants will be cut, but the base rate of Universal Credit will rise. There will also be a change in eligibility for the health top-up, with only those over 22 eligible.
“Right to Try” Work: Disabled people will have the "right to try" working without being penalised or reassessed for benefits, aiming to encourage more people to re-enter the workforce.
Work Capability Assessment Scrapped by 2028: The WCA will be replaced by PIP assessments. Additional financial support for health conditions under Universal Credit will be provided exclusively through the PIP assessment, meaning extra income will be determined by the impact of an individual's health condition or disability, rather than their ability to work.
More Face-to-Face Assessments: The government is planning more face-to-face assessments for PIP claimants, especially those receiving higher benefits.
Reintroducing Mandatory Reassessments: Reassessments will return for incapacity benefits, except for those with severe disabilities or under special end-of-life care rules.
Unemployment Insurance Changes: The government is consulting on merging jobseeker’s allowance with employment support allowance, which could allow higher benefit payments for those who have paid into the system.
£1bn Investment in Work Programmes: A new £1 billion investment will go toward overhauling job centres and supporting individuals to return to work, including through more rights to work from home.
These changes are designed to reduce welfare spending and encourage employment, but they have raised concerns from charities about the financial strain they may place on vulnerable populations, including older people with disabilities.
The BPF can be contacted Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm (except Bank Holidays):
Telephone: 0800 043 1935 (option 3)
Email: info@britishpolio.org.uk
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