The PIP Claimants Who Will Struggle to Qualify for Benefits Under Stricter New Rules

Thousands of people who rely on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) could find themselves excluded from financial support under new rules set to take effect in 2025. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plans to revise its PIP eligibility criteria, making it more difficult for both new applicants and some existing recipients to receive full benefits.

From next year, claimants must score at least four points in any one of ten daily living activities to receive the daily living component of PIP, which can amount to as much as £110 per week.

The move has sparked criticism from disability campaigners, who say the cuts will make it significantly harder for vulnerable people to access the care and support they need.

What’s Changing in the PIP Assessment?

Currently, PIP assessments are based on how a claimant performs in ten specific everyday activities. However, under the new rules:

• Scoring three points in each category — even with severe challenges — will not be enough.

• Only claimants scoring four or more points in one activity will qualify for the daily living component.

• This change is expected to disqualify many people who currently receive the benefit.

The following are the ten daily living activities, along with examples of who may not meet the new threshold:

Daily Living Activities and Points System (Under Current Rules)

Preparing Food

• Prepares and cooks a meal unaided – 0 points

• Uses aid or appliance / cooks using microwave – 2 points

• Needs prompting to prepare/cook – 2 points

Taking Nutrition

• Eats unaided – 0 points

• Needs aid, supervision, or help cutting food – 2 points

• Needs feeding via a therapeutic source – 2 points

Managing Therapy or Monitoring a Health Condition

• Manages everything unaided – 0 points

• Needs assistance for medication or monitoring – 1–2 points depending on the support level

Washing and Bathing

• Washes and bathes unaided – 0 points

• Needs an aid, prompting, or partial assistance – 2 points

• Needs help getting in/out of bath or shower – 3 points

Managing Toilet Needs

• Manages unaided – 0 points

• Uses aid or needs help – 2 points

Dressing and Undressing

• Dresses unaided – 0 points

• Uses aid or needs help choosing clothes – 2 points

Communicating Verbally

• Communicates unaided – 0 points

• Uses an aid or appliance – 2 points

Reading and Understanding Written Information

• Reads unaided – 0 points

• Uses special tools or needs prompting – 2 points

Engaging with Others Face-to-Face

• Interacts unaided – 0 points

• Needs prompting – 2 points

Making Budgeting Decisions

• Manages money unaided – 0 points

• Needs prompting or help – 2 points

Who Will Be Affected?

This stricter points-based approach is expected to hit a wide range of people. Those who need help with basic tasks like washing, dressing, or taking medication but don’t meet the four-point threshold in any one area may be denied the daily living component of PIP.

Disability rights groups warn that this could include:

• People who need prompting rather than full assistance

• Individuals with mild to moderate mental health conditions

• Those managing multiple low-impact difficulties that collectively reduce independence

Widespread Concern Over Disability Cuts

Policy analysts and charities argue that the policy fails to reflect the real complexity of living with multiple disabilities. Someone scoring three points in several categories — indicating serious need — may still lose out under the new system.

This could significantly impact their ability to access services, support workers, and even essentials like food and hygiene products.

Disability equality organisations have raised alarms, warning that the new policy does not align with lived experience and could push more people into crisis.

FAQs

What is changing with PIP in 2025?

Claimants must now score four points or more in one of the ten daily living activities to receive the daily living part of the benefit.

When will the new rules take effect?

The stricter eligibility rules are scheduled to come into force in early 2025, though an exact date is yet to be announced.

Will current claimants lose their benefits?

Some existing PIP recipients may lose part or all of their payments if they do not meet the new points threshold during reassessment.

What happens if someone scores three points in multiple areas?

They will not qualify for the daily living element unless they score four points in at least one category, regardless of total combined points.

Can I appeal a decision under the new rules?

Yes, claimants who are denied can request a mandatory reconsideration and appeal to a tribunal if needed.

Click here to know more.​