DWP makes PIP axe decision in major benefits shake-up

Personal Independence Payment supports people who need extra help due to their health

More than two million people are set to be moved from their older benefits over to Universal Credit. The move by the Department for Work and Pensions (DW ) will see Universal Credit replace six benefits.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is awarded to people who may need extra help due to an illness, disability or mental health condition. Almost 3.4 million people in the UK claim the benefit, which is worth up to £737.20 every four weeks depending on how your condition impacts your day-to-day life.

The DWP has revealed which benefits will be moved over to Universal Credit. It has also confirmed that PIP is not on this list.

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Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits:

• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Housing Benefit

The GOV.UK website says: "Other benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), will stay the same." This means if you currently claim PIP, your benefit will not be phased out and you will not be moved to Universal Credit, Mirror reports.

Benefits are moving over as part of the so-called "managed migration" process, which is being carried out in stages. The DWP expects to have contacted everyone who is affected by the end of December 2025.

How much is PIP worth?

P IP is usually paid every four weeks but can be paid weekly if you are terminally ill. It comes in two parts and you can be entitled to both or just one of these depending on how your condition affects your life.

There is a daily living rate and a mobility rate, which are worth:

Daily living

• Lower rate: £72.65
• Higher rate: £108.55

Mobility

• Lower rate: £28.70
• Higher rate: £75.75

Who is eligible for PIP?

When you apply for PIP, you will usually be assessed by a health professional to see how your condition affects your life. You may be entitled to the the daily living part of PIP if you need help with:

• Eating, drinking or preparing food
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading and communicating
• Managing your medicines or treatments
• Making decisions about money
• Socialising and being around other people

You might get the mobility part of PIP if you need help with:

• Working out a route and following it
• Physically moving around
• Leaving your home

You have to be aged 16 and older to claim PIP. If you are already receiving PIP and you reach State Pension age, your claim will normally continue.

But most people cannot make a new PIP claim once they reach State Pension age. You may be able to make a new claim at State Pension age if you were eligible for PIP in the last 12 months.

PIP claims generally last for a certain period of time before they are reviewed - normally this is between one year to 10 years. If you are terminally ill, you can apply for PIP under special rules which means the DWP will fast-track your application and you can receive your first payment within two weeks.