\n<\/p>\n
The government has announced a series of changes to the welfare system aimed at saving \u00a35bn by the end of 2030 and getting more people into work.<\/p>\n
It will be harder to claim a key disability benefit called Personal Independence Payment (Pip) under the proposals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Pip is paid to people who have difficulty completing everyday tasks or getting around as a result of a long-term physical or mental health condition.<\/p>\n
There are two elements – a daily living component and a mobility component. Claimants may be eligible for one or both.<\/p>\n
Daily living covers areas such as requiring help with preparing food, washing, reading and managing your money. The mobility element includes physically moving around or getting out of your home.<\/p>\n
Applicants are scored on a points system based on their ability to carry out everyday tasks and on their mobility. Those who score 8-11 points in total receive the standard rate of Pip, and those who score 12 points and over are eligible for the enhanced rate. <\/p>\n
From November 2026, the government says applicants will need to score at least four points in one activity to receive the daily living component of Pip.<\/p>\n
Eligibility for mobility payments will not be affected.<\/p>\n
The payments for daily living are:<\/p>\n
For mobility the payments are:<\/p>\n
Pip is usually paid every four weeks and is tax-free. It does not change depending on your savings or income and does not count as income affecting other benefits, or the benefit cap<\/a>. You can get Pip if you are working.<\/p>\n At present, the payment is made for a fixed period of time between one and 10 years, after which it is reviewed. A reassessment could come earlier if your circumstances change<\/a>. <\/p>\n Under the changes announced by the government, those with the highest levels of a permanent condition or disability will no longer face reassessment.<\/p>\n Initially, it was thought Pip payments might not be increased in line with inflation for a year, but the government has said they will not be frozen or means tested.<\/p>\n Pip is paid in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. <\/p>\n There is a similar but separate benefit in Scotland called the Adult Disability Payment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n More than 3.6 million people currently claim Pip.<\/p>\n When it was introduced in 2013, the aim was to save \u00a31.4bn a year by reducing the number of people eligible for payments.<\/p>\n However, initial savings were modest and the number of claimants has risen.<\/p>\n Pip is now the second-largest element of the working-age welfare bill, with spending expected to almost double to \u00a334bn by 2029-30.<\/p>\n Overall, the government currently spends \u00a365bn a year on health and disability-related benefits. This is projected to increase to \u00a3100bn by 2029.<\/p>\n About 1.3m people now claim disability benefits primarily for mental health or behavioural conditions<\/a> such as ADHD. <\/p>\n That is 44% of all working age claimants, according to the independent economic think-tank, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n