Update on the PIP review
2 mins read
Tuesday 22 September 2026
Earlier this month the Timms Review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP) set out ‘emerging recommendations’ it is considering for reforming PIP. These recommendations are not yet finalised but are to be explored in a series of workshops with disabled people and other participants in the coming weeks.
Positive
Some of the emerging recommendations will be welcomed. This includes proposals aimed at reducing unnecessary award reviews, improving the use of supporting evidence, ensuring fluctuating conditions are adequately captured and introducing an advocacy and support service for those who need additional help to claim.
Cause for concern
However, some of the other emerging recommendations are likely to cause concern. For example, while it is accepted that PIP will remain a non means-tested benefit with cash payments as it’s foundation, it’s also been suggested that some awards may include services, and other non-cash support.
Another recommendation is that cost categories including equipment and aids, mobility and transport, and clothing and bedding could be used to determine awards. This suggests that major changes in the PIP qualifying criteria are being considered, although little other detail of what these might look like have been provided by the Timms Review so far.
Request for an update
Now MPs on the Work and Pensions select committee have written to the Timms Review asking for a detailed update. Amongst the issues they have asked for more detail on are:
- the role of non-cash support, and whether access to services could reduce any claimant’s cash award.
- How the use of disability cost categories such as equipment, mobility, transport, clothing and bedding will capture and help assess the wider and less tangible disability costs faced by many disabled people.
The Work and Pensions committee also noted that the government had previously announced plans to replace the current work capability assessment used in Universal Credit with any new PIP assessment, but this has not been mentioned or discussed by the Timms Review. It has asked the Timms Review to clarify whether this is to be part of their current work or whether it will be looked at separately.
Contact will provide more information about these emerging recommendations as it become available.