People with autism, learning disabilities and cerebral palsy topped the list
People receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for specific conditions are likely to satisfy new eligibility requirements Labour plans to introduce next year. This includes about 71% of PIP recipients with learning disabilities as they already scored of 21 points or greater on the daily living component assessment.
Proposed changes to PIP’s eligibility criteria under Labour could result in thousands currently receiving it losing their benefit. Currently, claimants must score at least eight points across 10 activities to qualify for PIP at any level.
However, starting November 2026, applicants will still have to meet this existing benchmark but they will also need to earn a minimum of four points in any one activity to qualify. In general, performing an activity without difficulty yields zero points.
Needing supervision, aid, or tools may award two points, and requiring even more assistance can grant four points. So, someone securing two points in each of the activities could amass a total of 20 points but still fall short of PIP eligibility under the revamped criteria.
An analysis by experts at Resolution Foundation, drawing upon prior data from the DWP, has identified certain conditions that are “least likely to be affected” by these amendments as they typically achieve over 21 points. Indicating they have probably got at least four points in a single category.
Notably, 71% of claimants with learning disabilities, 44% with Cerebral Palsy and similar conditions, and 34% with autism spectrum disorders as their primary health condition hit 21 points or more in their assessments. The think tank revealed a list of the primary health conditions with the most claimants getting 21+ points:
- Cerebrovascular disease: 24%
- Neurological diseases: 23%
- Psychiatric disorders: 16%
- ADHD/ADD: 15%
- Multiple sclerosis and similar conditions: 14%
- Psychotic disorders: 11%
- Cancer: 10%
- Epilepsy: 8%
Moreover, an age-based analysis showed that younger claimants were more likely to score 21 or more points. Specifically, 35% of claimants aged 16-19 and a quarter of those in their 20s met this mark, whereas only 10% of claimants aged over 50 achieved this score.
These proposed changes to PIP are currently under consultation as part of a green paper. One aspect of this consultation focuses on how to assist individuals who are presently claiming the benefit but may not qualify under the new criteria.
The Resolution Foundation noted: “The Green Paper is consulting on whether people who lose PIP after a reassessment might need transitional protection to offset this loss of income, or help or support in managing their condition. Transitional protection has been an important part of previous welfare reforms, such as the move from tax credits to UC.”
