Major PIP Review Overhaul Set for April Implementation
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed significant operational changes to Personal Independence Payment awards that will take effect from April 2026. The most notable adjustment involves substantially extending the review periods for PIP claimants, with intervals set to increase dramatically from the current minimum of nine months.
Extended Review Timelines for Claimants
Under the new framework, the majority of PIP recipients aged 25 and above will see their review periods extended to a minimum of three years for new claims. For those who continue to qualify at their subsequent review, this period will further increase to five years between assessments. This represents a substantial departure from current practice, where many claimants face reviews at much shorter intervals.
The government has clarified that these operational modifications are separate from the ongoing Timms Review, which is examining the fundamental purpose of PIP, its assessment criteria, and how effectively it supports disabled people in achieving better health outcomes, improved living standards, and greater independence.
Tackling Assessment Backlogs
Officials state that extending review periods will enable health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and complete additional Work Capability Assessment reassessments. This forms part of a broader strategy to address inherited backlogs in the welfare assessment system that have accumulated over recent years.
Presently, most PIP claimants experience no change to their award at review despite the frequency of assessments. The government argues that lengthening these intervals will create a more efficient system while maintaining appropriate oversight of claimants' changing circumstances.
Increasing Face-to-Face Assessments
Alongside the extended review periods, the government is implementing a significant shift toward in-person assessments. The percentage of face-to-face PIP assessments will increase from just 6 percent in 2024 to 30 percent of all assessments. Similarly, Work Capability Assessments conducted in person will rise from 13 percent to 30 percent.
This represents a fulfilment of commitments made in the Pathways to Work Green Paper to expand face-to-face assessments following their suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous government contracts had mandated that 80 percent of assessments be completed virtually, a requirement that is now being substantially revised.
Financial Implications and Employment Support
The combined measures are projected to generate substantial savings for taxpayers, with estimates suggesting £1.9 billion in savings by the end of the 2030/31 financial year. These changes coincide with Universal Credit adjustments that will reduce the disparity between unemployment and long-term sickness payments.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden emphasised the government's commitment to reforming what he described as "the broken welfare system we inherited." He stated: "We're committed to reforming the welfare system we inherited, which for too long has written off millions as too sick to work. That is why we are ramping up the number of assessments we do face-to-face and taking action to tackle the inherited backlog."
The reforms will be accompanied by enhanced employment support initiatives for sick or disabled people, including the Connect to Work programme and the redeployment of 1,000 additional work coaches to provide targeted assistance.
The government maintains that reassessments remain crucial for monitoring how health conditions and disabilities evolve over time, ensuring that support remains appropriate to individuals' changing circumstances while creating a welfare system that balances support for those in need with fairness to taxpayers.
