The DWP has confirmed it will review eligibility for the mobility part of PIP alongside the daily living element, with the review to conclude by autumn 2026

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that the mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be reviewed alongside the daily living element, as part of the UK Government’s welfare reforms. The review will be co-produced by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, along with disabled groups and charities, and is set to be completed this autumn.

During the recent State Pension and benefits uprating debate in Parliament, Sir Stephen confirmed that the review will be published before 2027, following a suggestion from Conservative MP Rebecca Smith that it would not be available until next year.

Sir Stephen stated: “I am co-chairing a review of PIP that will conclude by the Autumn of this year; she (Rebecca Smith) said that she did not think that the review would happen until 2027, but it will conclude by the Autumn of this year.”

Those PIP claimants who are awarded the higher rate of the PIP mobility component can transfer some or all of the payment to lease a new car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme.

Recent figures from Motability Operations – the company behind the life-changing Motability Scheme – reveal that there are now 815,000 customers across the UK, including approximately 80,000 residing in Scotland, reports the Daily Record.

Currently, there are over 3.2 million Blue Badge permit holders across the UK, including more than 235,700 in Scotland. DWP figures also reveal that just over 3m PIP claimants receive either the standard or higher rate of the mobility component.

This comprises 1,961,029 claimants receiving the higher payment award, worth £77.05 per week and 1,111,219 on the standard award rate of £29.20 per week. There are currently nearly 3.9 million people claiming PIP across England and Wales – all Scots have now been transferred to Adult Disability Payment.

In a written question to the DWP, former Labour and now an Independent MP, Rachel Maskell recently asked what steps it is taking with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to co-produce policy changes to mobility allowances’ of PIP.

In a written response, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, said: “The PIP mobility element is in scope of the Timms Review, which aims to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future.

“We will co-produce the Review with disabled people, and their organisations to ensure lived experience is at the heart of its work. We will provide an update shortly. We will not make changes to PIP eligibility, including for the mobility element, until the Review has concluded.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to reform the Motability Scheme during the Autumn Budget. These reforms include ending the VAT relief on top-up payments, a one-off voluntary payment required to lease more expensive vehicles on the Scheme, and the application of Insurance Premium Tax on leases.

Tax changes will not significantly affect vehicles that have been extensively modified for wheelchair users, or existing leases, and Motability will continue to supply vehicles at no extra cost to the value of eligible disability benefits.

The DWP has outlined five key points on Personal Independence Payment including eligibility criteria, how to apply, and the assessment process

The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) has produced a series of four videos about Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ). They are designed to help people understand what the benefit entails, who it’s intended for, how to apply, and the assessment process. These YouTube videos are accompanied by an online document outlining five key points everyone should know about PIP.

Recent statistics from the DWP reveal that as of the end of October, nearly 3.9 million people in England and Wales were claiming PIP. Comparable data shows that nearly half a million people are now claiming the Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which replaced PIP for people in Scotland.

The DWP’s YouTube videos direct viewers to the dedicated PIP pages on GOV.UK, where more comprehensive information is available, including the process for people nearing the end of life. Viewers of the videos on the official DWP YouTube channel are encouraged to visit the website to ensure they have all the necessary information about PIP eligibility before submitting a new claim, according to the Daily Record.

The DWP has outlined five key points for anyone considering making a PIP claim. These include:

• Entitlement to PIP is not based on an individual’s health condition or disability alone but on how much a long-term health condition or disability impacts an individual’s daily life or mobility.
• To qualify for PIP, the impacts of a health condition or disability must have been present for three months and be expected to last at least another nine months.
• PIP claimants will undergo a functional assessment of how their health condition or disability affects 12 key everyday activities, which are fundamental to living an independent life.
• If an individual can manage the PIP daily living and mobility activities safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period, without being supported by someone or using equipment, it is unlikely they will get PIP.
• When applying for PIP, individuals should provide any relevant information they already have about how their health condition affects them. This may mean that a health professional can assess the claim using this information without a face-to-face or virtual consultation, and that a decision can be made more quickly. DWP says people should not request new documents for their application as these can incur a fee, for example, from GPs.