New report finds PIP needs reform as disabled people report barriers and concerns

An interim review of personal independence payments (PIP) has found that the current system is not working as intended for some disabled people, with concerns raised about the assessment process, access to support and the way claims are assessed.

The Timms Review found that PIP can create barriers for some people, particularly those with fluctuating conditions, less visible disabilities or multiple health conditions. It also found that many disabled people view PIP as essential support that helps them manage the additional costs of disability and participate more fully in everyday life.

What is PIP?

Personal independence payment (PIP) is financial support for people who have extra care or mobility needs because of a disability or long-term health condition.

You can receive PIP whether you are working or not. It’s designed to help with the additional costs that can come with disability, such as:

• specialist equipment or adaptations
• transport costs when public transport is inaccessible
• extra costs linked to preparing food safely
• hospital parking charges
• additional heating needs

The purpose of PIP is to help disabled people live more independently and take part in work, social activities and everyday life.

What’s the Timms Review?

In 2025, the government asked Sir Stephen Timms to review whether PIP is ‘fair and fit for the future’.

The review was launched following concerns about proposed changes to the welfare system, including possible reforms to PIP.

Ministers agreed that no changes would be made to PIP before the review had reported.

The government said the review would consider how PIP can continue to support disabled people, including helping them achieve better health, improved living standards, greater independence and opportunities through employment.

More than 38,000 people responded to the review’s call for evidence.

The final report is expected later this year.

How does the current PIP assessment work?

Under the current system, claims are assessed using a points-based process.

A health professional considers how a person’s condition affects their ability to complete everyday activities, including:

• washing and bathing
• getting dressed
• preparing food
• communicating
• moving around

Claimants are awarded points based on the level of support they need. The number of points awarded affects whether they qualify for PIP and the amount of support they receive.

The government had previously proposed changes to the points system used in assessments. However, ministers agreed to wait until after the Timms Review before making any changes.

What did the interim review find?

Concerns about the assessment process

The review found that many people had concerns about how PIP assessments work.

Some respondents described the process as:

• ‘dehumanising’
• ‘degrading’
• ‘stressful’

The review also found that many people had low levels of trust in the system and felt the assessment process did not always reflect the reality of living with a disability.

Challenges for people with certain conditions

The review highlighted that PIP can be particularly challenging for people with:

• fluctuating conditions, where symptoms vary over time
• less visible conditions
• multiple conditions affecting daily life in different ways

The findings suggest that some people feel the current system does not always capture the complexity of their needs.

Issues with supporting evidence

The review also identified concerns about how supporting evidence is used when decisions are made.

It found that the use of evidence from healthcare professionals and other sources was inconsistent, which can affect how claims are assessed.

PIP remains important for many disabled people

While the review identified areas where the system could improve, it also found that many people consider PIP an essential form of support.

For many disabled people, PIP helps cover additional costs linked to disability and enables them to take part in work, social activities and daily life.

The Timms Review will now continue its work, with the final report expected to set out further recommendations on the future of the system.

Need support with a PIP application? 

If you need support with making a PIP application, take a look at our interviews from last year with two expert organisations that help people navigate the process every day:  Fightback4Justice and Turn2Us.