DWP Announces Major Extension of PIP Award Durations to Combat Backlog
The Department for Work and Pensions has unveiled significant operational changes to Personal Independence Payment awards, set to commence in April 2026. These reforms are specifically designed to address the substantial backlog in Work Capability Assessments, a persistent issue within the UK's welfare system.
Extended Award Periods for PIP Claimants
Under the new measures, most PIP recipients aged 25 and above will see their award durations substantially lengthened. For new claims, the minimum award period will increase to three years, a notable extension from the current system where reviews can occur as frequently as every nine months. At subsequent reviews, qualifying claimants could receive awards lasting up to five years.
The DWP confirmed this extension will enable health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and complete additional WCA reassessments, addressing critical capacity constraints. Currently, the majority of claimants experience no modification to their award at review, suggesting these frequent assessments may be unnecessarily burdensome.
Separate from Broader PIP Review
These operational modifications are distinct from the ongoing Timms Review, which is examining the fundamental function of PIP, its assessment criteria, and how effectively it helps disabled people achieve improved health, enhanced living standards, and increased independence.
The DWP emphasized that these changes represent practical adjustments to existing processes rather than a fundamental redesign of the PIP system itself.
Increased Face-to-Face Assessments
The reforms will see a significant ramp-up in in-person assessments, fulfilling a government pledge made in the Pathways to Work Green Paper. After face-to-face assessments were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, contracts agreed by the previous government mandated 80 percent of assessments to be completed virtually.
Now, the percentage of in-person assessments will increase substantially, with PIP assessments rising from just 6 percent in 2024 (approximately 57,000) to 30 percent of all assessments. Similarly, Work Capability Assessments will increase from 13 percent in 2024 (around 74,000) to 30 percent.
Financial Implications and Supporting Measures
The extended award periods are projected to generate substantial savings, estimated at £1.9 billion for UK taxpayers by the end of the 2030/31 financial year. These savings come alongside other employment support initiatives for sick or disabled people, including:
- The Connect to Work program
- Redeployment of 1,000 work coaches
- Universal Credit alterations reducing the difference between unemployment and long-term sickness payments
Government Rationale and Statements
The UK Government stated it is implementing these changes as part of broader efforts to reform what it describes as "the broken welfare system it inherited." By extending intervals between assessments to verify if claimants' conditions still qualify them for PIP, the government aims to free up health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and deliver more WCA reassessments.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden recently commented: "We're committed to reforming the welfare system we inherited, which for too long has written off millions as too sick to work. That is why we are ramping up the number of assessments we do face-to-face and taking action to tackle the inherited backlog of people waiting for a Work Capability Assessment. These reforms will allow us to save £1.9 billion, creating a welfare state that supports those who need it while helping people into work and delivering fairness to the taxpayer."
The DWP further explained: "Reassessments play an important role in taking account of how changes in health conditions and disabilities affect people over time." However, the new approach acknowledges that less frequent reviews for stable conditions could improve efficiency while maintaining appropriate oversight.
