Recent announcements regarding welfare benefit reforms have caused great stress and anxiety for many. Whist this content is not designed to, information in this post may warning can cause psychological distress or trigger anxiety.

The proposed changes to the welfare system hope to save up to £5bn a year by 2030 and get more people into work, the government says. As part of their plans, It will be harder to claim a key disability benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) under the proposals. At this stage, they are simply proposals and no changes are set in stone.

PIP is a financial benefit provided to over 3.6 million people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who have long-term physical or mental health conditions. It helps with extra costs related to daily living and mobility needs. PIP is tax-free, not means-tested, and does not affect other benefits or the benefit cap. It remains available even if the claimant is working.

There are two components of PIP:

– Daily living component – for those who struggle with everyday tasks like cooking, dressing, or personal hygiene.

– Mobility component – for those who have difficulty moving around or leaving their home.

Claimants can receive one or both components, depending on their needs. The payment rates (as of now) are:

– Daily living component – Standard rate: £72.65 per week / Enhanced rate: £108.55 per week

– Mobility component (unchanged by new rules) – Standard rate: £28.70 per week / Enhanced rate: £75.75 per week

Each application involves an assessment from a professional. PIP assessments involve questions about tasks like preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed. Each is scored on a scale from zero – for no difficulty – to 12 – for the most severe – by the health professional.

Currently, to receive the standard rate of the PIP, you need to score 8 points or more for either the daily living or mobility component, while 12 points or more are needed for the enhanced rate of either component. 

What is a ‘Green Paper’? 

A green paper is simply proposals. It is the first step towards getting a policy in place. Green papers aim to launch a debate on a given subject by involving all stakeholders without any commitment to action. Therefore, what you have read is not set in stone. It is what they hope to achieve, but it is yet to be debated and is likely to face many, many challenges.

What changes have been proposed in the Green Paper? 

The UK government plans to tighten assessments for the daily living component, meaning that some people may find it harder to qualify.

Currently, claimants are assessed based on their ability to complete daily tasks. Right now, people can qualify if they accumulate lower scores (1s and 2s) across multiple tasks to each 8 points for a standard. However, under the proposals, from Nov 2026, claimants must score at least four points in a single activity to be eligible.

For example, Needing help washing hair or the lower body = 2 points (may no longer qualify). Needing help washing between the shoulders and waist = 4 points (would still qualify). This would mean that only those with the most need would qualify for PIP.

Other Key Changes

– More frequent reassessments for many claimants.

– Permanent or severe conditions: Those with the highest levels of disability will no longer face reassessments.

Should these proposals come to fruition, when do they start? What about my application at the moment? What about my review?

To reiterate, these proposals are not in place. It is likely to take up to 18 months before any changes are made. Your current application or review will not be affected.

Our Thoughts

Typically, an individual can earn four points when they frequently require assistance and are unable to manage independently with aids alone on a daily basis. This means they depend on the help of another person most of the time when attempting that particular activity.

This approach can discourage independence entirely.

Many of our clients and followers live alone and do their best to manage with significant support and occasional assistance. However, these individuals may not qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if changes are implemented.

What does this mean for them?

Many rely on PIP payments to help them work and maintain their employment.

Throughout this month, I have conducted numerous interviews in the media and on television. In each one, I pose the same question: Why is the Government targeting the most vulnerable members of society? This approach will likely have the opposite effect of encouraging people to enter the workforce. Most of our followers have stated that, without PIP to cover the additional costs associated with their disabilities, they will be unable to continue working.

Note from our team Founder:

Over my 13 years as a law advocate within the benefits system, I have witnessed numerous government announcements that raise concerns and the frequent turnover of MPs. Never before have I felt as frustrated with this Government as I do now, and we find ourselves defending our followers more than ever.

Many members of our team have disabilities, and from our experience, we understand how challenging it can be for our followers to manage their daily lives while striving for independence. Additionally, we know how difficult it is to claim or maintain PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and ESA/UC (Employment and Support Allowance/Universal Credit).

It is unacceptable to take support away from the most vulnerable individuals striving for independence. This Government should send officials to staff our free advice lines, which have received over a million and a half enquiries this month from scared and vulnerable people who are already doing their best to stay afloat.

We will adapt, campaign, and always be here for our followers. Despite overcoming obstacles, no matter what is said today, you can rely on us to help you navigate the new system and do as much as we can as often as we can to help you all.

If you feel strongly about this and would like to oppose the proposals, please visit this online form and express your views (https://shorturl.at/08OIG). We strongly advise this and suggest that you also contact your local MP and make your feelings known.

If you have further questions, please comment below and we will do our best to answer. However, at this point, we do not know any further information than what has already been published.

Michelle Cardno (FB4J Founder and welfare benefits lawyer) on behalf of Team Fightback.