Benefit cuts
Benefit cuts

PIP Reform

Understanding the Pathways to work Green Paper: What It Means for PIP reform

On March 18, 2025, the Secretary for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, announced the Pathways to Work Green Paper, outlining potential changes to disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

While these proposals may have raised concerns, it’s important to say don’t panic!

Key Points
  1. Changes Won’t Happen Immediately
    • Reforms won’t take effect for more than a year, with initial changes applying only to new claimants. If you currently receive PIP, nothing will change right away. Please don’t worry, we can help you understand what they mean and how they may affect claimants.
  2. New Eligibility Criteria for PIP
    • From November 2026, at least one PIP daily living and mobility descriptor must score 4 points or more to qualify. This is a change, but it’s reassuring that the descriptors haven’t been completely overhauled as we feared.
  3. More Face-to-Face Assessments
    • There are proposals to increase face-to-face assessments, and this raises concerns given historical delays due to shortage of venues and  trained assessors. We’ve seen that long waits, poor assessments and decision-making often lead to a high percentage of successful appeals.
  4. PIP as a Qualifying Benefit for Universal Credit (UC)
    • The government has confirmed PIP will be a qualifying benefit for UC disability-related payments. It’s a relief for many claimants that the disability pament will still apply and the Work Capability Assessment will be scrapped but it emphasises the importance of claiming and remaining on PIP.
The Bigger Picture:
  • Over 3 million people currently receive PIP in the UK
  • Nearly 70% of PIP appeals are successful, highlighting ongoing issues with the assessment
  • Delays in assessments have left claimants waiting up to 6 months or more for decisions, causing unnecessary hardship.
  • Recent figures show that 35% of claimants experience difficulties completing the assessment process, particularly those with mental health conditions.

PIP official statistics to Jan 2025 

What Can You Do Now?
  1. Don’t Panic – These changes won’t happen overnight, and existing claimants are not immediately affected.
  2. Have Your Say– The government is inviting feedback as part of the consultation. It’s crucial for individuals, professionals, and advocacy groups to contribute their views. Pathways to work green paper consultation – closes 30th June 2025
  3. Seek Expert Advice– If you have concerns about how these changes may impact you, we are here to help.

How We Can Help

We’ve supported 100’s of people through PIP claims and have not lost an appeal since its introduction in 2013.

We are able to do this because we understand the criteria and can help you by:

  • PIP claims: Ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria and make the best application, to avoid the need for reconsideration or appeal.
  • Understanding entitlements: Helping you access other benefits, services and financial support.
  • Challenging unfair decisions: Providing guidance and ensuring you have the evidence to support your case and representation for an appeal.

If you have concerns or need guidance, get in touch today. We’re here to help.

#PIPReform #PathwaysToWork #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareSupport #PIPClaims #PIPAppeals

 

Related posts:

Paying for careHow much does care cost? Personal Independence PaymentWhat benefits am I entitled to? Later Life Benefits explained Social CareAdult Social Care Reform Attendance Allowance application formWhat is Attendance Allowance? BenefitsNew ‘Single’ Benefit?

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Saved us nearly £200k
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I didn't know my sister could get funding
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