Former DWP assessor says ‘PIP claimants with 4 conditions will keep benefit’ | Personal Finance | Finance

Claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) who suffer from four specific conditions are more likely to continue receiving the benefit despite impending significant cuts, according to a former assessor. The stricter PIP regulations, set to take effect in November next year, are predicted to impact around 400,000 Brits who will no longer qualify for the scheme.

To be eligible for the daily living component, which amounts to £72.65 or £108.55 per week, applicants must undergo an assessment that evaluates their ability to safely, quickly, and efficiently perform 10 daily activities. Currently, claimants can qualify by scoring one or two points across multiple categories. However, under the proposed changes scheduled for November 2026, applicants must score at least four points in one activity and at least eight points overall to receive the lower payment. Meanwhile, 12 points will be required for the upper band.

James Merrell, a former PIP assessor, told the Daily Star that claimants with conditions such as “advanced MS (Multiple sclerosis), motor neurone disease, late-stage cancer, or severe physical disabilities” are more likely to retain their benefits.

Merrell explained: “Based on what we know so far, claimants with clear, long-term, and medically diagnosed physical impairments that affect mobility, or personal care may be more likely to keep their awards.

“This includes conditions like advanced MS, motor neurone disease, late-stage cancer, or severe physical disabilities that are visually or medically apparent and require obvious support.

“This would be a massive step backwards in disability rights. PIP was originally designed to account for how a condition affects someone not just what the condition is. Moving away from that opens the door to unfair assumptions and gatekeeping.”

The head of CWS Limited warned that individuals with “fluctuating, invisible, or mental health conditions” could face cuts if the DWP adopts a more medically-focused approach.

He added: “The Government’s proposed changes to PIP criteria, particularly if they shift to a more medical-model-based approach, risk sidelining people with fluctuating, invisible, or mental health conditions.

“Those with mental health conditions, chronic fatigue syndromes, neurodivergent conditions (like ADHD or autism), or fluctuating illnesses (like fibromyalgia or long COVID) are likely to face more scrutiny under a ‘toughened’ framework which could require four points in one activity.”