New DWP update for older people on PIP ahead of welfare reforms next year
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - information
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 said that people of State Pension age are not 'routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by these changes'.
But it's important to be aware that relates to existing PIP policy where people nearing State Pension age making a new claim for PIP, or existing claimants turning 66, are typically given a 'light-touch' review of 10 years.
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns recently asked DWP whether 'existing Personal Independence Payment claimants of pension age with a planned award review from November 2026 will be required to score at least four points in one daily living activity in order to maintain their award'.
In a written response, Sir Stephen explained how the 'Pathways to Work Green Paper' will introduce a new eligibility requirement to 'ensure that only those who score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity will be eligible for the daily living component of PIP' adding that this 'requirement will need to be met in addition to the existing PIP eligibility criteria'.
He continued: 'In keeping with existing policy, people of State Pension age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by these changes.
'All claimants are required to notify the Department of any change to their circumstance, be that an improvement or deterioration in their needs. Upon notification of a change, a Case Manager will consider what further action might be required to ensure the claimant is receiving the correct level of support.'
In a second written question from the MP for Rutland and Stamford, Ms Kearns asked whether PIP claimants of State Pension age 'who request a change of circumstances review from November 2026 will be required to score at least four points in one daily living activity'.
Sir Stephen gave the same response to the first question.
The latest figures from the DWP show there are now 3.7 million people across Great Britain claiming PIP. The data also indicates there are 690,186 people over State Pension age in receipt of the disability payment, boosting their monthly income to up to £1,670.80.
During the current financial year, thousands of people over State Pension age in Scotland, England and Wales will receive support of between £116.80 and £749.80 every four-week pay period.
Pensioners on PIP
The latest DWP figures show that across Scotland, England and Wales, the number of people over 65 on PIP includes:
Aged 65 - 69: 416,230
Aged 70 - 74: 213,113
Aged 75 - 79: 60,846
Total: 690,186
Many people over 56 and nearing State Pension age may not be aware of a change to PIP guidance in 2019 that states 'claimants whose review would have taken place when they were of State Pension age means that they are now generally awarded ongoing awards'.
Award types and review periods are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant's needs and the likelihood of those needs changing. It takes into account such matters as planned treatment/therapy or learning/adapting to manage a condition.
PIP awards
Guidance from DWP states:
For fixed length awards, the review period usually ranges from a minimum of nine months to a maximum 10 years
Review periods of less than nine months are set only in exceptional circumstances
An award of two years or less is considered short-term
Combined incomes
The full, New State Pension is now worth £230.25 each week (£921 every 4-week pay period) and the Basic State Pension up to £176.45 (£705.80 every 4-week pay period) - how much you are paid depends on the amount of National Insurance contributions made.
Although payments for State Pension, PIP and ADP are made separately, they could provide a combined monthly income of up to £1,670.80 - based on someone in receipt of the full, New State Pension and highest PIP or ADP awards for the daily living and mobility component.
PIP and ADP payment rates 2025/26
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. Payments are made every four weeks.
PIP is made up of two components:
Daily living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £73.90
Enhanced rate: £110.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £29.20
Enhanced rate: £77.05
PIP, ADP and State Pension age
When someone reaches State Pension age, they can no longer make a new claim for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or ADP.
However, if someone is already receiving PIP, DLA, or ADP when they reach State Pension age, they will continue to receive the benefit until the award period ends where it will be reviewed following the normal process.
People who reach State Pension age who are no longer claiming any of the working age disability benefits may also be able to reclaim it - as long as they are claiming for the same health conditions that they initially received the award for and the last claim ended less than 12 months before reaching State Pension age.
For people over State Pension age with a health condition, long-term illness or disability they may be eligible for Attendance Allowance - this is worth either £73.90 or £110.40 every week from DWP. Find out more about claiming Attendance Allowance here.
If you have not yet reached State Pension age but are living with a health condition, disability or long-term illness, you may qualify for PIP or ADP. Below is an overview of both benefits.
Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.
preparing, cooking or eating food
managing your medication
washing, bathing or using the toilet
dressing and undressing
engaging and communicating with other people
reading and understanding written information
making decisions about money
planning a journey or following a route
moving around
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
whether you can do it safely
how long it takes you
how often your condition affects this activity
whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments. Most assessments take place over the phone.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
How to make a new claim for PIP
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker's name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you've spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links. For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
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