Big changes are coming to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in England and Wales. The government’s tough new rules could hit us where it hurts: in our pockets.
Starting November 2026, new PIP rules will change how our claim is scored. Right now, to qualify for the daily living part of PIP, we need to score at least 8 points across different tasks, like preparing food, dressing, or managing money.
Under the new rules we’ll also have to score 4 points or more in a single activity, or we might get nothing at all.
It’s called the “four-point rule”, and while the change might sound small, disability campaigners are calling it a disaster in disguise. It could hit people with mental health issues, learning difficulties or long-term conditions the hardest.
Many of these claimants struggle in lots of areas but don’t score 4 points in just one. Under the new system, that could mean they’re turned down altogether.
HOW IT WORKS
Take someone with anxiety or autism. They might need help in multiple parts of daily life—say, 2 points here, 2 points there—which currently gets them over the 8-point line. But under the new rule? If no single task scores 4 or more, they’re out. Support gone.
And it’s not just new claimants who need to watch out. If we’re already on PIP, our next review after November 2026 could be judged under the new rules too. That means people getting PIP now could also face cuts, or lose support entirely.
The government says it’s trying to “target help where it’s needed most.” Ministers reckon the cost of PIP is spiralling out of control, with spending expected to jump from £22 billion to £34 billion by 2030. But critics say it’s the wrong move—punishing vulnerable people to balance the books.
SCOTLAND
In Scotland, it’s a different story. The Scottish Government has replaced PIP with the Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which launched in 2022. Unlike PIP, ADP puts more focus on trust, reduces face-to-face assessments, and avoids repeated reviews for people with long-term conditions.
There are no plans to bring in a four-point rule north of the border—meaning Scottish claimants could end up better off and more secure than those in England and Wales.
There is some good news: if we’re already on PIP and have a lifelong or severe condition, we may be protected from reassessments. And the mobility side of PIP isn’t changing, yet.
Also, the government has promised a review before they enforce these changes, so they may yet change their minds.
But make no mistake: if we rely on PIP or think we might need to claim in future, this could affect us.
The best advice? Keep records, get advice, and don’t assume we’re safe. These changes are coming—and they could cost us hundreds of pounds a month.
Image: Age Without Limits Photo Library
