Full List of PIP Claimant Groups Most at Risk of Losing DWP Payments Under New Rules
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has forecasted significant changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility criteria, particularly for the daily living component.
These adjustments could impact hundreds of thousands of people across the UK by the end of the 2029/30 financial year.
How Many Claimants Will Be Affected?
According to the impact assessment released in March:
- 370,000 current PIP recipients may lose entitlement to the daily living component.
- An additional 430,000 future applicants could be ineligible under the new rules.
- Each affected individual is expected to lose an average of £4,500 annually.
Breakdown by Health Condition
The DWP conducted an in-depth analysis of individuals with 18 of the most common disabling conditions who received fewer than four points across all 10 daily living activities.
This research forms part of a broader equality analysis tied to the Spring Statement.
Current Daily Living Awards and Points Below 4:
| Condition | Claimants | < 4 Points | % Below Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis | 279,000 | 13,000 | 6% |
| Other Musculoskeletal Diseases | 136,000 | 97,000 | 71% |
| Chronic Pain Syndromes | 173,000 | 97,000 | 71% |
| Cardiovascular Diseases | 61,000 | 38,000 | 62% |
| Respiratory Diseases | 83,000 | 45,000 | 55% |
| MS & Neuropathic Disorders | 80,000 | 38,000 | 48% |
| Other Conditions (General) | 272,000 | 126,000 | 46% |
| Other Neurological Disorders | 97,000 | 35,000 | 36% |
| Stroke-Related Conditions | 56,000 | 19,000 | 34% |
| Cancer | 70,000 | 23,000 | 33% |
| Epilepsy | 36,000 | 11,000 | 30% |
| Other Psychiatric Disorders | 90,000 | 25,000 | 28% |
| Cerebral Palsy & Neuromuscular Diseases | 47,000 | 11,000 | 24% |
| Psychotic Disorders | 112,000 | 26,000 | 23% |
| ADHD / ADD | 75,000 | 14,000 | 19% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 206,000 | 13,000 | 6% |
| Learning Disabilities | 188,000 | 7,000 | 3% |
Additional Conditions Under the ‘Other’ Category
The “Other Conditions” group includes several health issues that cover smaller segments of PIP recipients:
- Visual and Hearing Impairments
- General Musculoskeletal Issues
- Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, and Genitourinary Diseases
- Skin and Autoimmune Disorders
- Liver and Metabolic Conditions
- Immune System Disorders
- Various Mental Health Disorders like PTSD, OCD, Phobias, and Depressive Disorders
What the PIP Daily Living Component Covers
You might qualify for the daily living component of PIP if you need help with:
- Preparing meals, eating, or drinking
- Personal hygiene (washing, dressing, using the toilet)
- Communicating (speaking, listening, reading)
- Managing treatments or medication
- Making financial decisions
- Interacting with others
How the DWP Assesses Difficulty
For each task, the DWP evaluates:
- Your ability to perform it safely
- Time taken to complete it
- Frequency of the issue
- Need for support, whether by another person or assistive equipment
Understanding the Descriptors and Scoring System
Each activity is matched to a descriptor, describing your level of difficulty. Each descriptor is awarded a point value between 0 to 12.
For example, in the category ‘Dressing and Undressing’, descriptors range from “Can do unaided” to “Cannot do at all.”
Use of Aids and Appliances
The DWP evaluates your ability as if you use any aids that would reasonably help, even if you don’t currently use them.
Common aids include:
- Cooking stools
- Grab rails
- Walking sticks
Using such aids may help increase your score in the assessment.
Points Breakdown: Daily Living Activities
| Activity | Max Points |
|---|---|
| Preparing Food | 8 |
| Taking Medication | 10 |
| Managing Health Condition | 8 |
| Washing and Bathing | 8 |
| Toilet Needs | 8 |
| Dressing and Undressing | 8 |
| Communicating Verbally | 12 |
| Reading and Understanding | 8 |
| Social Interaction | 8 |
| Budgeting Decisions | 6 |
Award Thresholds
- Standard Rate: 8–11 points
- Enhanced Rate: 12+ points
The same point system applies for mobility assessments.
Current Claimant Numbers and Reforms Timeline
- As of January 2025, 3.7 million people were receiving PIP in Great Britain.
- Over 1,000 new claims are being approved every day.
- Reforms are expected to begin in November 2026, pending Parliamentary approval.
- Future plans include more face-to-face assessments, replacing many current remote evaluations.
- PIP payments will not be frozen and will continue rising with inflation.
- Mobility component remains unchanged.
The upcoming DWP reforms to PIP are set to significantly reshape how eligibility for the daily living component is determined.
With nearly 800,000 people projected to lose access or fail to qualify under the revised criteria, it’s crucial for current and future claimants to understand how their health conditions, daily challenges, and point scores might affect their benefits.
As these changes approach, staying informed and proactive is key to maintaining necessary support.
FAQs
Will current PIP recipients automatically lose their benefits under the new rules?
Not all will lose benefits, but 370,000 existing claimants are projected to be affected if they don’t meet the updated criteria.
Are these reforms going to affect the mobility component of PIP?
No, the mobility component remains unchanged. Only the daily living eligibility is being reviewed.
Can the use of aids improve my PIP score?
Yes. Using aids or appliances during your daily routine can increase your score, as the DWP considers these during assessments.
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