Eligibility changes to PIP are set to start in November 2026.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to introduce new changes to eligibility and assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026. The welfare reforms will impact new and existing claimants, however, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, has confirmed that people of State Pension age will “not be affected by the proposed changes”.

The latest figures from the DWP show that at the end of January, some 690,186 people aged between 65 and 79 were receiving PIP, including 2,492 living in Scotland. These claimants will transfer to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and the Social Security Scotland system this Spring.

Sir Stephen gave the clarification in a written response to Labour MP Paula Barker, who asked DWP about the potential impact of proposed PIP reforms on people of State Pension age.

READ MORE: How long PIP payments really last and maximum award length possibleREAD MORE: Top up your bank balance by winning a share of £2,000!

Sir Stephen said: “Our intention is that the new eligibility requirement in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in which people must score a minimum of four points in one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component, will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.

“In keeping with existing policy, people of State Pension Age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by the proposed changes.”

He added that “information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course” and pointed out that some information was published alongside the Spring Statement in March. These can be found here.

Sir Stephen also said: “A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.”

In a separate written response to Independent MP Apsana Begum, the DWP Minister also confirmed there will be no changes for people nearing the end of life applying for PIP through the fast-track service.

Sir Stephen told the Poplar and Limehouse MP: “We recognise that people nearing the end of their life are some of the most vulnerable people in society and need fast track and unqualified support at this difficult time.

“People who claim, or an in receipt of, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and are nearing the end of their life with 12 months or less to live, will continue to be able to access the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP.

“We will also maintain the existing fast-track route under the Special Rules for End of Life and where claims are currently being cleared in two working days. This fast-track route will not be impacted by the new eligibility requirement for PIP.”

There are currently 3.7m people across Great Britain in claim for PIP, however, the UK Government expects that figure to rise to 4m by the end of the decade and has proposed a raft of new measures to make the benefit sustainable for future generations.

Proposed package of reforms to overhaul the welfare system, include:

  • Ending reassessments for disabled people who will never be able to work and people with lifelong conditions to ensure they can live with dignity and security.
  • Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment to end the process that drives people into dependency, delivering on the UK Government’s manifesto commitment to reform or replace it.
  • Providing improved employment support backed by £1 billion including new tailored support conversations for people on health and disability benefits to break down barriers and unlock work.
  • Legislating to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work.

To ensure the welfare system is available for those with the greatest needs now and in the future, the UK Government has made decisions to improve its sustainability and protect those who need it most.

These include:

  • Reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support and are not written off.
  • Targeting PIP for those with higher needs by changing the eligibility requirement to a minimum score of four on at least one of the daily living activities to receive the daily living element of the benefit, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria.
  • Rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit to improve the Standard Allowance.
  • Consulting on delaying access to the health element of Universal Credit until someone is aged 22 and reinvesting savings into work support and training opportunities through the Youth Guarantee.

DWP also launched an online consultation on the new proposals to coincide with the publication of the Green paper. The consultation can be completed by anyone and is open until June 30, 2025 – you can find full details on GOV.UK here.

It’s important to be aware that the proposed reforms announced by the DWP will not directly affect disability claimants in Scotland currently claiming devolved health-related benefits – unless funding for the Scottish Government is impacted by planned changes by Westminster.

Get the latest Record Money news

Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.

Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here.

You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community.