Disabled people invited to take part in PIP review

Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have been invited to participate in a review of personal independence payment (PIP).

As part of the ongoing Timms review, 15 workshops are to be held across the country and online during September and October.

The review will look at issues including the assessment and decision-making processes, as the Department for Work and Pensions has acknowledged many find them “stressful” and “dehumanising”.

Dr Clenton Farquharson, co-chair of the review, said: “Disabled people and people with long term health conditions know better than anyone how PIP works in real life where it helps, where it creates barriers, and where it needs to change. 

“That experience has to be part of shaping what comes next.”

Dr Farquharson added that as well as hearing people’s experiences, the workshops will test “emerging recommendations against real lives and understand what could make them fairer, clearer and work better in practice”.

You can register to take part at GOV.UK until 21 August at 5pm, and if you’re selected, you’ll be told by 4 September.

What is PIP?

PIP is a benefit that helps people with long-term health conditions or disabilities cover extra living costs. 

However, the application process is often seen as complex and stressful.

Why is PIP being reviewed?

A review into PIP was announced in mid-2025, following a backlash over controversial elements of a government welfare reform bill aimed at saving £5bn. 

The bill proposed cuts to the health element of universal credit for new claimants and stricter eligibility rules for PIP’s daily living component.

Facing pressure from campaigners and MPs, ministers agreed to:

• exempt current PIP recipients from the new rules
• protect incomes of those on the health element of universal credit who meet the ‘severe conditions’ threshold

When will the review be completed?

The review is expected to conclude in autumn 2026. 

No current PIP recipients will be affected during this period. 

The new rules will only apply to new claims from November 2026.