DWP issues PIP update amid major benefits shake-up affecting millions (original) (raw)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in the process of transitioning over two million individuals from older benefits systems to Universal Credit, sparking questions about whether this includes Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP is a benefit designed to support individuals who require additional assistance due to a health condition, disability or mental health issue.

It serves nearly 3.4 million UK residents and offers up to £737.20 every four weeks, with the exact amount determined by the impact of the individual's condition on their daily activities. The DWP has clarified which benefits are being transferred to Universal Credit, notably excluding PIP from this list.

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The six benefits being replaced by Universal Credit include:

• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Housing Benefit.

According to GOV.UK: "Other benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), will stay the same." Consequently, current PIP claimants will not experience a shift to Universal Credit as a result of the "managed migration", which is taking place incrementally, reports the Mirror.

The DWP anticipates reaching out to all those impacted by the end of December 2025. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here

How much is PIP worth?

PIP is typically disbursed every four weeks. However, if you're terminally ill, you can receive payments weekly. PIP is divided into two components and depending on how your condition impacts your life, you may be eligible for one or both of these. These are the daily living rate and the mobility rate, which are valued at:

Daily living

• Lower rate: £72.65
• Higher rate: £108.55

Mobility

• Lower rate: £28.70
• Higher rate: £75.75

Who is eligible for PIP?

When applying for PIP, you'll usually need to undergo an assessment by a healthcare professional to determine how your condition affects your daily life. You might be entitled to the daily living component of PIP if you require assistance with:

• Eating, drinking or preparing food
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading and communicating
• Managing your medicines or treatments
• Making decisions about money
• Socialising and being around other people.

You could be eligible for the mobility component of PIP if you need help with:

• Working out a route and following it
• Physically moving around
• Leaving your home.

To claim PIP, you must be 16 years old or over. If you're already receiving PIP and you reach the state pension age, your claim will usually continue - however, most individuals can't initiate a new PIP claim once they reach state pension age.

You may be able to start a new claim at state pension age if you were eligible for PIP in the past 12 months. PIP claims typically last for a certain duration before they're reassessed - usually this is between one year to ten years. If you are terminally ill, you can apply for PIP under special rules which means the DWP will expedite your application and you can receive your first payment within two weeks.

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