Those affected by upcoming PIP changes will receive 13 weeks of financial support under new bill
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced new measures to Parliament on 18 June 2025, which will see people affected by changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC) given additional protection.
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which is set to be written into law, will provide 13 weeks of additional financial security to existing claimants affected by changes to the PIP daily living component, including those who their lose eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer’s element of UC.
As part of the proposed reforms to the welfare system, the government is changing the PIP 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. This PIP criteria change is due to come into effect in November 2026.
Under the current system, PIP only requires a total of eight points minimum across all of the daily living activities to receive the daily living element of the benefit.
The daily living activities that are assessed for PIP are: preparing food, eating and drinking, managing medicines or treatments, washing and bathing, using the toilet, dressing and undressing, reading, managing money, socialising and being around other people, and talking, listening, and understanding.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.
“This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity.
“This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot – putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
Under new legislation, individuals with the most severe and permanently disabling conditions who will never be able to work, under the Severe Conditions Criteria group, will not be called for reassessment for UC. Those protected from reassessment will also be paid the higher rate of UC health top-up of £97 per week.
In the coming weeks, legislation will also be drafted for a Right to Try Guarantee. This will mean that people trying work, in and of itself, will not lead to a reassessment or award review.
Alongside the legislation, a £1 billion employment support package has been announced to support more people with health conditions back into work. Funding will offer personalised employment and health support for individuals on out of work benefits.
In addition, the DWP says that almost four million households will also receive an income boost with the main rate of UC set to increase above inflation every year for the next four years – estimated to be worth £725 by 2029/30 for a single household 25 or over.
The bill will also reduce the health element for new UC claims to £50 from April 2026. The government says this is to “fix a system which encourages sickness by paying health element recipients more than double the standard amount”.
Everyone affected by changes to the UC health element from April 2026 will be offered support from a dedicated Pathways to Work adviser.
The DWP says that those affected by the welfare reforms will be contacted and given the offer of a conversation about their support needs, goals, and aspirations; offered one-to-one follow-on support; and given help to access additional work, health, and skills support that can meet their needs.