A benefits expert has warned that claimants with three specific health conditions may face significant challenges due to upcoming changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rules. Starting next year, a new eligibility requirement will be introduced to PIP, a benefit designed to help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities cover extra living costs.
PIP consists of two parts: one for daily living and another for mobility. Each part provides payments at either a lower or higher rate, depending on the claimant’s needs. The new rule will require claimants to score at least 4 points in one or more daily living activities to qualify for the daily living component.
This change could mean that some claimants lose out on weekly payments of £73.90 or £110.40 based on current rates. Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, highlighted which groups are most likely to be affected.
She said, “People with mental health conditions, long Covid, ME, and other fluctuating or invisible illnesses are likely to be the most affected if support is reduced. These conditions are difficult to assess using standard criteria, especially when symptoms change daily or do not show clear physical signs. This puts many at risk of being overlooked by the system.”
Lamb also stressed that losing PIP support goes beyond just a financial loss. Without this help, daily life can become much harder, threatening a person’s ability to stay independent and maintain both mental and physical wellbeing.
The changes to PIP are set to take effect in November 2026. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that by the fiscal year 2029/2030, about 370,000 current claimants will lose their entitlement, and roughly 430,000 potential claimants will no longer qualify for the benefit.
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