PIP News and Changes - September 2026

This page tracks the latest PIP news and changes and is updated each month. As of September 2026 the headlines are new official figures showing a record 4.1 million people entitled to PIP, the countdown to next April's rate rise (which has not been set yet), the Timms Review's draft recommendations and autumn workshops (with its final report now looking like late 2026) and the restart of DLA-to-PIP transfers for the last 150,000 adult DLA claimants - while PIP rates, activities and descriptors themselves have not changed. Below you will find what is new this month, the full picture of what is in force in 2026 and a month-by-month log so you can see what changed and when.

What's New in PIP - September 2026

The latest PIP news, newest first. This section is refreshed every month.

Will PIP go up in April 2027? Nothing is confirmed yet (updated 24 September 2026)

You may have seen articles saying PIP rates are going up. As of 24 September 2026 the government has not announced any April 2027 PIP rates, so any "PIP will rise to £X" figure you see is an estimate, not an official rate. PIP is likely to rise next April, and this is how the timetable normally works:

• Which figure counts: PIP normally rises each April in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for the 12 months to the previous September. The April 2026 rise of 3.8% matched CPI for the 12 months to September 2025.
• Where inflation is now: CPI was 3.1% in the 12 months to August 2026, up from 2.9% in July (Office for National Statistics, published 16 September 2026). That is not the figure that sets PIP.
• 21 October 2026: the ONS publishes the September 2026 CPI figure, the one normally used for the April uprating of PIP and most other benefits.
• 28 October 2026: the Chancellor presents the Budget, alongside a new forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility. New benefit rates are normally confirmed in the autumn around this time - last year the 2026/27 rates were set out in a written ministerial statement on 26 November 2025.
• April 2027: the new rates would then normally be paid from April 2027.

Until then the 2026/27 rates stay in place: £76.70 or £114.60 a week for daily living and £30.30 or £80.00 a week for mobility. See our PIP rates page for what each combination is worth, and we will add the confirmed April 2027 rates here once the government publishes them.

PIP caseload reaches a record 4.1 million (statistics published 15 September 2026)

The DWP's quarterly release, published on 15 September 2026 with figures to July 2026, shows 4.1 million people entitled to PIP in England and Wales at 31 July 2026. That is 2% more than at 30 April 2026 and up from 3.8 million a year earlier. The DWP says the number has increased steadily since PIP was introduced in April 2013, so this is the highest total yet. Other headline figures from the release:

• 240,000 new claims were registered in the three months to July 2026, 17% more than a year earlier
• 34% of normal-rules new claims cleared in that quarter were awarded PIP (excluding withdrawn claims), down from 41% a year earlier
• the median wait from claim to decision for new claims was 18 weeks in July 2026, up from 15 weeks a year earlier
• psychiatric disorder remains the most common main condition, recorded on 39% of claims under normal rules
• 37% of people on PIP get the highest award, the same share as in April

Separately, Ministry of Justice figures published on 10 September 2026 show PIP appeals received in April to June 2026 were 52% higher than a year earlier, and 67% of PIP appeals decided at a hearing were overturned in the claimant's favour. The full breakdown, with sources, is on our PIP statistics page. The next DWP release is due on 15 December 2026.

Timms Review publishes its draft recommendations (9 September 2026)

The biggest PIP story of the month. On the evening of 9 September the Timms Review's co-chairs published a set of emerging recommendations on GOV.UK, describing them as "a starting point that we now want people to test, challenge and help us to improve". The headline proposals: no more award reviews for people with lifelong or degenerative conditions where no improvement is expected; a better PIP2 form that handles fluctuating conditions; a framework for how decisions are made and corrected, with lessons from appeals fed back; better use of medical evidence; a review of the 28-day hospitalisation rule; more face-to-face assessments where evidence is thin; more respectful DWP letters; access to advocacy; and an online portal. The update also sets out principles for a future benefit: non-means-tested, cash as the foundation, a contribution to extra costs in named categories (equipment and aids, mobility and transport, clothing and bedding) and possibly some services alongside cash. That extra-costs idea is the part disability organisations and Benefits and Work have criticised, because costs are hard to evidence for mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. Nothing changes now: fifteen workshops test the draft from 15 September, the final report is due later this autumn and any change would need legislation after that. Full breakdown in our Timms Review guide.

DLA-to-PIP transfers restart for adult DLA claimants (September 2026)

The final stage of the move from Disability Living Allowance to PIP - largely paused since 2020 - is restarting. Benefits and Work reported on 6 August 2026, citing the Independent, that around 3,000 randomly selected adult DLA claimants will receive invitations to claim PIP in September 2026 to test the process, ahead of a wider rollout for the more than 150,000 people still on DLA who were aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013. Two points matter if that is you: nobody is moved automatically - you have to make a PIP claim when invited - and not responding to the invitation, or not taking part in an assessment if one is required, can mean DLA stops with no PIP awarded. No completion date for the full rollout has been published, and we will update this page when the DWP publishes its own guidance. Our PIP vs DLA guide explains how the two benefits differ, and how to apply for PIP covers the claim itself.

No new PIP rules or regulations in August or September

There is no new PIP legislation this month or last: the PIP regulations remain as they stood after the June award-extension power (SI 2026/457), and the 4-point rule stays scrapped. Award-extension letters are still going out to claimants whose reviews are being pushed back - if you receive one, your payments simply continue at the same rate, as our extension letter guide explains.

PIP Payment Rates: April 2026

From 6 April 2026, all PIP payments increased by 3.8% in line with September 2025 CPI inflation. This happens automatically. You do not need to reapply or contact the DWP.

The new weekly rates are:

• Daily Living standard: £76.70/week (up from £73.90)
• Daily Living enhanced: £114.60/week (up from £110.40)
• Mobility standard: £30.30/week (up from £29.20)
• Mobility enhanced: £80.00/week (up from £77.05)

The maximum PIP award (enhanced rate both components) is around £10,119/year (£194.60/week × 52).

The "4-Point Rule" Was Scrapped

You may have seen claims that a new "4-point rule" was coming in November 2026, requiring PIP claimants to score at least 4 points in a single daily living activity. That was Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, and it was removed on 1 July 2025 after a Labour backbench rebellion. The third reading on 9 July 2025 confirmed it was dropped permanently. There is no new single-activity threshold for PIP, now or scheduled.

The government had estimated the original proposal would have affected around 800,000 people. Disability organisations, MPs and campaigners objected. The clause was withdrawn before the bill passed. Existing PIP scoring continues unchanged. Points can be accumulated across activities as they always have been.

Any future changes to PIP eligibility now rest with the independent Timms Review, due to report in Autumn 2026. Any change it recommends would require new legislation after that. See the Timms Review section below.

Fewer Reassessments

Good news: since April 2026, most new awards to people aged 25 or over run for 4 years with a review after 3, and an award that follows a successful review runs for 6 years with the review after 5. Existing claimants moved to the same pattern from 16 June 2026 (DWP PIP statistics). People whose needs are not expected to improve can already get an ongoing award with only a light-touch review at the 10-year point, and the Timms Review's draft recommendations (September 2026) propose ending award reviews for lifelong or degenerative conditions where no improvement is expected. That last part is a proposal, not a rule yet.

This means less stress for people with conditions that aren't going to improve, and fewer unnecessary assessments that waste everyone's time.

The Timms Review

A major review of PIP led by Stephen Timms began in February 2026 and is due to report later in autumn 2026. It published an interim report on 15 July 2026 (which made no recommendations) and its emerging recommendations on 9 September 2026, and it is running fifteen "shaping recommendations" workshops across the UK from 15 September to test them before writing its final report. It is examining the PIP assessment criteria, descriptors, points system and whether the assessment is "fit for the future."

Disability organisations fear this review could be used to justify further cuts to PIP. The review is looking at whether other evidence (beyond the functional assessment) should be considered, and whether the current activities and descriptors are still appropriate.

Mental Health Review

Separately, the Department of Health has commissioned a review into whether mental health conditions, ADHD and autism are being "overdiagnosed." The results will feed into the Timms review and could influence whether PIP awards for these conditions are reduced.

If you claim PIP for a mental health condition, this is worth watching closely.

Universal Credit Changes

While not directly PIP, the Universal Credit health element (LCWRA) was cut for most new claimants from April 2026, to £217.26 a month (about £50 a week). Existing claimants keep the higher rate, £429.80 a month (about £99 a week) in 2026/27, and until 2029/30 the law requires their health element and standard allowance together to rise at least in line with inflation (Universal Credit Act 2025, section 4).

This makes PIP even more important, as it's not being cut in the same way and remains non-means-tested.

What Should You Do?

If you are thinking about claiming PIP, or if your review is coming up, getting the claim right first time still matters. The scoring rules have not changed. The Timms Review's draft recommendations of 9 September 2026 would still need a final report, a government response and new legislation before anything changes, so nothing moves before late 2027 at the earliest.

Key actions:

• If you think you qualify, claim under the existing rules. Read our should I claim PIP now? timing guide
• If your review is coming up, prepare your AR1 carefully using DWP language
• Focus on your most affected activities; clear single-activity scoring is good practice regardless of any threshold rules
• Gather strong evidence linking your conditions to specific daily living and mobility difficulties

Strong Single-Activity Descriptors Worth Targeting (Good Practice)

Clear assistance, supervision or prompting needs (4+ points in one activity) are easier for assessors to award than scattered 2-point aid descriptors. The most achievable single-activity 4+ scores for many claimants:

• Activity 4f (4 pts): Needs assistance to wash body between shoulders and waist
• Activity 5d (4 pts): Needs assistance for toilet needs
• Activity 6e (4 pts): Needs assistance to dress upper body
• Activity 7c (4 pts): Needs communication support for complex info
• Activity 8d (4 pts): Needs prompting for basic written info
• Activity 9c (4 pts): Needs social support to engage
• Activity 10c (4 pts): Needs assistance for simple budgeting decisions
• Activity 3d (4 pts): Therapy 3.5 to 7 hours/week (also 6 pts at 7 to 14 hours)

Aiming for a clean 4-point single-activity score where the need is genuine remains good claim-writing technique. There is no new threshold rule requiring it.

Universal Credit Health Element Changes

UC health element (LCWRA) changes from April 2026:

• Existing claimants (claims before 6 April 2026), people who meet the severe conditions criteria and people who are terminally ill: £429.80 a month in 2026/27
• Everyone else claiming from April 2026: £217.26 a month, roughly half the old amount, and frozen at that level until 2029/30 (Universal Credit Act 2025, sections 2 and 3)
• WCA abolition (no date set): the government still plans to replace the Work Capability Assessment with the PIP assessment as the route to the health element, but the Secretary of State told the Work and Pensions Committee on 9 January 2026 that this will not happen until after the Timms Review has concluded

The cumulative impact: someone newly claiming UC + LCWRA from 2026 onwards gets significantly less than someone already on these benefits.

The Carer's Allowance Earnings Threshold

From April 2026, the CA earnings limit rises to £204/week (was £196). Slight relief for working carers but still well below minimum wage at part-time hours.

Devolution Differences

• England, Wales: PIP unchanged in name and administration
• Scotland: Adult Disability Payment (ADP) replaces PIP. Similar criteria but more humane assessment. ADP applicants protected from some UK-wide changes.
• Northern Ireland: PIP system aligned with UK

Scottish residents have separate processes - see our sister site ADPexpert for Adult Disability Payment guidance, including how ADP award reviews work.

Conditions Where Single-Activity Scoring Is Strongest (Good Claim Practice)

People with conditions that naturally score 4+ in a single activity have the cleanest profile under any scoring approach:

• Severe learning disability (typically descriptor c-d, 4-6 pts each activity)
• Severe mental health (often descriptor d, 8 pts on Activity 9)
• Dementia (often 4+ pts multiple activities)
• Severe physical disability requiring help (e.g. quadriplegia)
• Terminal illness (SR1 fast-track)
• Severe autism with significant support needs

Claims that historically scored 2 points across multiple activities (mild-moderate chronic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, Long Covid, asthma/COPD, mild mental health) still qualify under the existing scoring system. The 4-point rule was scrapped on 1 July 2025, so the historical worry about scattered 2-point profiles no longer applies. Good claim-writing technique still favours identifying where supervision, assistance or prompting (4+ point descriptors) genuinely apply, because those are easier for assessors to award.

PIP News: Monthly Log

A short archive of PIP news by month, newest at the top.

September 2026

Timms Review emerging recommendations published on 9 September (updated 11 September), with fifteen testing workshops from 15 September. DLA-to-PIP test invitations to around 3,000 adult DLA claimants. Quarterly PIP statistics published on 15 September: a record 4.1 million people entitled to PIP at 31 July 2026, up from 3.8 million a year earlier. CPI inflation was 3.1% in the 12 months to August (published 16 September); the September figure that normally sets April 2027 PIP rates is due on 21 October, with the Budget on 28 October. No April 2027 rates announced yet. No new PIP regulations.

August 2026

Reports (6 August) that the DWP will restart DLA-to-PIP transfers from September, beginning with around 3,000 invitations to claim, ahead of a wider rollout to the 150,000-plus adults still on DLA. The Timms Review co-chairs announced the September-October workshop programme. No new PIP regulations.

July 2026

Timms Review interim report published on 15 July, and its call for evidence closed on 9 July. Motability VAT relief on expensive-vehicle top-ups removed for new leases. PIP award extensions continued to roll out.

June 2026

New regulations in force from 2 June 2026 gave the DWP the power to extend existing fixed-term PIP awards to help clear the review backlog, so many claimants began receiving award-extension letters. From 29 June, face-to-face and telephone health assessments (PIP, WCA and IIDB) are recorded as standard unless you opt out - see recording your PIP assessment.

April to May 2026

PIP rates rose 3.8% from 6 April. Longer awards began for new claims, with most new awards to people aged 25 or over running for 4 years and reviewed after 3. The scrapped 4-point rule stayed off the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the latest changes to PIP?

As of late September 2026, the main developments are official statistics published on 15 September showing a record 4.1 million people entitled to PIP in England and Wales, the Timms Review's emerging recommendations published on 9 September (fewer award reviews for lifelong conditions, a better PIP2 form, a decision framework, better use of evidence and, more controversially, a future award based partly on extra-cost categories) and the restart of DLA-to-PIP transfers with around 3,000 test invitations. April 2027 PIP rates have not been announced yet. PIP itself has not been cut - the rates, activities and descriptors are unchanged apart from the 3.8% April uprating. See the What's New section above for the detail.

Are there new rules for PIP in 2026?

No new PIP eligibility rules took effect in 2026. The proposed 4-point rule was scrapped in 2025 and there is no new single-activity threshold. The only changes are the 3.8% April rate rise, longer awards with less frequent reviews and the power to extend existing awards. Any genuinely new rules would follow the Timms Review - its final report is expected in late 2026 - and would need new legislation after that.

Has the 4-point rule come in?

No. The 4-point rule was Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, removed on 1 July 2025 after Labour backbench rebellion and dropped permanently at the bill's third reading on 9 July 2025. There is no new single-activity threshold for PIP. Any future changes to PIP eligibility will be informed by the independent Timms Review, whose final report is expected in late 2026.

I currently have PIP. Will I lose it under any new rules?

There is no new PIP eligibility rule in 2026. The 4-point rule was scrapped. Existing claimants continue under current scoring. Any future change would come from the Timms Review (final report expected late 2026) and would require new legislation after that, so even the fastest possible change would not affect claims before late 2027 at the earliest.

When should I claim?

There is no urgent deadline to claim before. The 4-point rule was scrapped. If you qualify, claim when you are ready and your evidence is strong. A well-prepared claim has a much higher chance of success than a rushed one. See our should I claim PIP now? guide for the timing decision.

What is the Timms Review and when will we know the outcome?

The Timms Review of PIP began in February 2026 and published an interim report on 15 July 2026 that made no recommendations. It published its emerging recommendations on 9 September 2026. Those are being tested in workshops with disabled people across the UK from 15 September, and the co-chairs say the final report will go to the Secretary of State later this autumn. It is examining the assessment criteria, descriptors, points system and whether the assessment is fit for the future. Any change it recommends would require new legislation after the report.

I still get DLA - what does the September restart mean for me?

If you were aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013 and still receive DLA, you are in the group the DWP is moving to PIP. Around 3,000 people are being invited in September 2026 as a test, with a wider rollout to follow and no completion date published yet. You are not moved automatically - you will receive an invitation and must make a PIP claim, assessed under PIP rules. Do not ignore the letter: not responding, or not taking part in an assessment if one is required, can mean DLA stops with no PIP awarded. Our PIP vs DLA guide explains the differences between the two benefits.

What about the State Pension age claim window?

Still applies. You can claim PIP up to your State Pension age birthday. After that, AA only (no mobility component). State Pension age is 66 in 2026, rising to 67 from 2028.

Will rates continue to rise with inflation?

PIP normally rises each April in line with CPI inflation for the 12 months to the previous September. The ONS publishes the September 2026 figure on 21 October 2026, and new rates are normally confirmed in the autumn, around the Budget on 28 October 2026. As of 24 September 2026 no April 2027 PIP rates have been announced, so any figure quoted in the press is an estimate.