You can’t control benefit changes – but you can check you’re getting everything you’re entitled to

Planned changes to benefits including personal independence payment (PIP) and universal credit (UC) could be delayed until 2027.

You might not be able to control when the rules change, or exactly what those changes will mean for you.

But you can check that you’re getting all the money and support you’re entitled to right now.

What could change?

The government has been looking at changes to the benefits system, including PIP and UC, including changes to the way people qualify for disability benefits and how people with health conditions are supported into work.

According to the i Paper, major changes to PIP and UC are not expected until the government brings in a new welfare bill.

This is unlikely to happen during the current parliamentary session.

The earliest opportunity could be after the next King’s speech, which could take place in spring 2027.

The government is also waiting for the results of two reviews before deciding on its longer-term plans.

One is looking at disability benefits, including PIP. The other is looking at young people who are out of work, education or training.

This means the biggest changes could come after the budget on 28 October, rather than being announced as part of it.

For now, the government is expected to continue with measures already under way, including efforts to tackle benefit fraud and mistakes.

What can you do?

You might not be able to decide what happens to PIP or universal credit in the future.

But you can make sure you’re not missing out on support you could claim today.

Around £3.7bn in benefits went unclaimed in 2024 - 25.

That’s money that could have helped people pay for essentials such as food, rent, energy and travel.

So, if money is tight, it’s worth checking what help you could get.

Don’t assume you’re not entitled

You may still be able to get help if you:

• work
• own your home
• already get benefits
• have some savings.

The rules can be complicated, so it’s easy to assume you won’t qualify when you actually could.

You may also be missing out because your circumstances have changed since you first claimed.

You could be missing out without realising it

There are lots of reasons people don’t claim benefits.

You might:

• think you earn too much
• worry that the forms will be difficult
• not realise you could qualify
• feel embarrassed about asking for help.

But there’s nothing wrong with claiming money and support you’re entitled to.

Use our benefits calculator

Put your details into our benefits calculator to see what you could be entitled to.

It’s worth doing even if you already claim benefits.

Your circumstances may have changed since you first made your claim.

For example, you may have:

• started or stopped work
• had a change in income
• moved home
• had a change in your household.

These changes could affect what you can get.

Get some advice

If you’re not sure what you can claim, speak to one of our advisers.

They can look at your circumstances and help you work out what support you could get.

You don’t have to work it all out yourself.

Get your paperwork ready

If you need to make a claim, having your information ready can make things easier.

You may need your:

• national insurance number
• income details
• rent or mortgage details
• savings information
• medical information, if you’re claiming because of a health condition.

You don’t have to wait

Changes to the rules around PIP, universal credit and other benefits are in the pipeline.

You might not be able to control those changes. But you can control whether you check what you’re entitled to now.

If you’re on a low income or struggling to pay your bills, take a few minutes to check what help is available.

You could be missing out on money that could make a real difference to you.