The UK government will cut disability benefits for thousands while protecting 700,000 pensioners from the same fate.
New Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rules starting November 2026 require claimants to score at least 4 points in one single daily living activity—not just 8 points total across multiple tasks. The change could slash benefits by an average of £4,500 per year for those affected.
But anyone over state pension age is exempt from the stricter criteria.
What’s Changing and Who’s Safe
- New rule starts: November 2026
- Old requirement: 8 points total across any activities
- New requirement: 8 points total + minimum 4 in ONE activity
- Who’s exempt: 700,000 people aged 65+
- Who’s affected: New claimants and reviews after Nov 2026
- Average benefit loss: £4,500 per year
- Current PIP recipients: 3.6 million across UK
- State pension age: Currently 66
The 4-Point Rule That Changes Everything
Previously, PIP claimants qualified by accumulating 8 points across multiple moderate difficulties. Someone might score 2 points for preparing food, 2 points for dressing, 2 points for washing, and 2 points for managing medications—reaching 8 points total.
Starting November 2026, that’s no longer enough. You must now score at least 4 points in a single activity in addition to the 8-point total.
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, confirmed: “Our intention is that the new eligibility requirement in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in which people must score a minimum of four points in one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component, will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval”.
Who Escapes the New Rules
700,000 pensioners aged 65 and over won’t face the new assessment criteria. This exemption applies to both current recipients and new claimants within this age group.
The DWP clarified that individuals over state pension age are exempt from the reforms. They’ll continue under existing rules without undergoing full reassessments.
Pensioners typically face reviews only every 10 years, unless significant changes occur in their condition. The intention is to avoid unnecessary reassessments for older individuals, recognizing the challenges they may face.
The £4,500 Annual Loss
Citizens Advice warns that people affected by the eligibility changes will lose their entire daily living component. The average loss: £4,500 per year.
Their report titled “Pathways to Poverty” argues the reforms will push vulnerable disabled people deeper into financial hardship. The changes target those with multiple moderate impairments rather than one severe limitation.
The government aims to focus support more narrowly on individuals with the most severe functional limitations. The DWP claims the reforms enhance long-term sustainability, reduce misuse, and improve fairness.
Who’s Actually Affected
The changes hit new claimants and anyone undergoing PIP reviews after November 2026. Existing claimants not due for review will continue under current rules—at least initially.
The reforms don’t affect the mobility component of PIP, which remains assessed separately. Only the daily living component faces the new 4-point minimum rule.
Terminal Illness Fast-Track Protected
People with 12 months or less to live continue accessing the enhanced rate under Special Rules for End of Life. Claims are cleared in two working days.
Timms emphasized this fast-track route won’t be impacted by the new eligibility requirement. Terminal illness claimants receive full protection from the reforms.
What This Means for Existing Claimants
If you’re currently receiving PIP and not due for review, you won’t automatically lose entitlement when reforms take effect. You’ll continue under current rules unless your claim is reviewed after November 2026.
However, this protection is temporary. Once your scheduled review arrives, you’ll face the new 4-point minimum rule. If you can’t score 4 points in a single activity, you’ll lose the daily living component—even if you score 8 points total across multiple tasks.
The Pensioner Protection
The 700,000 exemption prevents older disabled people from losing established support. Without this protection, elderly claimants would face stressful reassessments and potential benefit cuts.
Timms said the exemption “aligns with existing policy, where state pension age claimants are not routinely fully reviewed”.
Why the Government Says It’s Necessary
The reforms are designed to enhance long-term sustainability, reduce misuse, and improve the fairness and efficiency of disability benefits. The government cites both cost savings and system improvement as goals.
The DWP argues the changes will focus support on those with the most severe functional limitations while reducing payments to people with minor impairments.
But critics say the reforms will push vulnerable people into poverty while protecting wealthier pensioners. The £4,500 average loss could devastate working-age disabled people already struggling with extra costs.
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