If you or someone close to you receives Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you may be wondering how things will change in 2026. It’s always helpful to stay ahead of changes in disability benefits – not just to understand what you’re entitled to, but also to prepare for any reassessment or new procedures that might be introduced.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently confirmed updates to the benefit payment rates from April 2026. Alongside this, a broader review of PIP eligibility criteria and assessment processes is underway, due to conclude by autumn 2026. While no rule changes are in place just yet, the landscape is clearly shifting.
This article explains what you need to know about the 2026 PIP benefit changes, including the new rates, current assessment criteria, proposed reforms, and how to prepare for potential impacts.
What Are the New PIP Rates from April 2026?
The DWP published the uprated benefit amounts on 28 November 2025. Most benefits, including PIP, will increase by 3.8%, which matches the CPI rate of inflation.
Here is a breakdown of the new weekly rates for PIP:
| PIP Component | 2025–26 Rate (£) | 2026–27 Rate (£) |
| Daily Living – Enhanced | 110.40 | 114.60 |
| Daily Living – Standard | 73.90 | 76.70 |
| Mobility – Enhanced | 77.05 | 80.00 |
| Mobility – Standard | 29.20 | 30.30 |
These increases will be applied automatically for existing claimants starting from April 2026, so no additional action is needed to receive the higher amount.
It’s also important to mention that Universal Credit standard allowance is increasing by more than the 3.8% CPI, while the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element for new claimants who don’t meet severe condition criteria is almost halving, raising concerns among welfare rights organisations.
What Rules Currently Govern PIP Assessments and Eligibility?
The structure of PIP remains unchanged for now. PIP is divided into two parts:
- The Daily Living Component – for those who need help with everyday tasks
- The Mobility Component – for those who have difficulties getting around
Each component can be paid at a standard or enhanced rate, depending on how much help you need. To determine this, the DWP uses a points-based system informed by a medical assessment.
When you apply for PIP, a health professional assesses your ability to carry out a set of activities related to daily life and mobility. They submit a report to the DWP, and a decision maker uses this report to decide your award amount and duration.
What’s crucial is that the assessment doesn’t just look at whether you can technically do something. It also considers how reliably you can do it. This includes whether the task can be done:
- Safely, without risking harm
- To an acceptable standard
- As often as needed (repeatedly)
- In a reasonable time, typically, this means not taking more than twice as long as someone without your condition
Let’s say you can get dressed without help, but it takes you 45 minutes and causes pain. This may still count as needing assistance because you cannot do it reliably.
Which Activities Are Measured During the PIP Assessment?
The PIP assessment measures your ability to perform a series of activities, split across daily living and mobility needs.
Daily Living Activities:
- Preparing food
- Eating and drinking
- Managing treatments
- Washing and bathing
- Managing toilet needs
- Dressing and undressing
- Communicating verbally
- Reading and understanding written information
- Mixing with others
- Managing money decisions
Mobility Activities:
- Planning and following journeys
- Moving around
Each of these activities is linked to a set of descriptors, statements describing different levels of difficulty or independence. Each descriptor carries a point value, and the total number of points you receive across all activities determines your award.
How Are Points Scored and What Do They Mean?
The scoring system is based on the descriptor that best matches your ability for each activity. These descriptors range from being able to do something completely unaided, to not being able to do it at all.
For example, the activity “Dressing and undressing” may be scored as follows:
| Descriptor | Points |
| Can dress and undress unaided | 0 |
| Needs an aid or appliance to dress or undress | 2 |
| Needs assistance to dress or undress upper or lower body | 4 |
| Cannot dress or undress at all | 12 |
Once all the points are added up:
| Component | Points Needed for Standard Rate | Points Needed for Enhanced Rate |
| Daily Living | 8–11 | 12 or more |
| Mobility | 8–11 | 12 or more |
These thresholds help determine your award level and payment rate.
Can You Provide an Example of How PIP Scoring Works?
Certainly. Consider the case of Bob, who lives with chronic fatigue and arthritis. He can walk up to 50 metres using a walking stick, but doing so multiple times a day is not possible due to pain and exhaustion. The PIP assessment does not only look at whether he can walk 50 metres once, it asks whether he can do this reliably.
Because Bob cannot repeat the task as often as needed, the appropriate descriptor is:
“Can move between 1 and 20 metres using an aid” – 12 points
This means Bob qualifies for the enhanced rate of the mobility component.
In another example, Amira, who has generalised anxiety and agoraphobia, cannot plan or follow a journey on her own due to overwhelming distress. Her assessment may score her:
“Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person” – 12 points
This also qualifies her for the enhanced mobility component.
What Is the Government Reviewing About PIP in 2026?
While no immediate changes to PIP rules have been implemented, the government has confirmed an ongoing review of the benefit, expected to conclude in autumn 2026.
The review is considering:
- Whether the current descriptors and activities still reflect real-world challenges
- How medical evidence can be more central to decision-making
- Ways to improve support for those with fluctuating or mental health conditions
- Updating the “reliability” criteria and how it’s applied
It’s likely that some eligibility rules, scoring thresholds, or assessment procedures may change following the review. These changes may affect new applicants first, with existing claimants gradually moved onto new rules during reassessment.
Will Current Claimants Be Affected by the 2026 Reforms?
Not right away. If you’re currently receiving PIP, your payments will continue as usual under the existing rules. However, once the review is complete, the DWP may begin to apply the updated system to:
- New PIP applications submitted after changes are introduced
- People whose awards are due for reassessment in 2027 and beyond
It’s essential for current claimants to:
- Keep medical documentation up to date
- Understand your current award letter and review dates
- Seek advice early if you receive a reassessment invitation
Support organisations such as Citizens Advice, Turn2us, and Disability Rights UK are expected to provide clear guidance once changes are finalised.
How Do PIP Increases Compare with Other Disability Benefits?
The following table compares updated rates for PIP and Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA), which will also increase from April 2026:
| Benefit Component | 2025–26 (£) | 2026–27 (£) |
| PIP Daily Living – Enhanced | 110.40 | 114.60 |
| PIP Daily Living – Standard | 73.90 | 76.70 |
| PIP Mobility – Enhanced | 77.05 | 80.00 |
| PIP Mobility – Standard | 29.20 | 30.30 |
| SDA Basic Rate | 100.05 | 103.85 |
| SDA Age-Related Addition – Higher Rate | 14.95 | 15.50 |
| SDA Age-Related Addition – Middle Rate | 8.30 | 8.60 |
| SDA Age-Related Addition – Lower Rate | 8.30 | 8.60 |
While these increases help to maintain parity with inflation, campaigners argue that benefit levels still fall short of rising costs, especially for those dealing with complex care needs or high living expenses.
For those who want to stay fully informed, Benefits and Work provides a regularly updated breakdown of all benefit changes for 2026 to 2027, including less-publicised adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my PIP award automatically increase in April 2026?
Yes, the increase applies to all current claimants without requiring reapplication.
What happens if I need an aid to complete tasks?
Using an aid (like a walking stick or shower seat) can increase your score, even if you use it only occasionally.
Can I still apply for PIP before the new rules are introduced?
Absolutely. The current rules remain in place, and you can apply now if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Will reassessments use new rules after 2026?
Only after the review concludes and changes are announced. Until then, reassessments will follow existing criteria.
What if my condition fluctuates?
You’ll be assessed based on how your condition affects you on most days – more than 50% of the time.
Where can I get help with a claim or appeal?
Citizens Advice, Disability Rights UK, and local council welfare teams offer support with applications and appeals.
Is mental health considered fairly in assessments?
The system aims to consider mental health, but reforms are looking to improve how these conditions are understood and evaluated.
