worried about losing PIP, anyone else?

[Lilacbluewaters]

My husband has claimed pip/dla since being a child but for mental disability rather than physical. His last claim was a 10 year award which comes to an end next year and I am worried what to expect with the new rules being rolled out. are most people likely to lose PIP? will he still get a light tough review as his award was 10 years?

There's a back bench rebellion going on over this. The changes may not even go through.

really? where can I read more about this?

Just appeal, if this happens. No point worrying about it until then.

He will need to score 4 points under one descriptor to qualify for the daily living part of PIP if the current reforms go ahead. this will make it harder for some people to claim and aims to protect PIP for the most severely disabled. This will be form re-assesmsents form Nov 2026.

I would not be surprised if there was a u turn on this. Either way, it will take time to implement, I think that their timetable for roll out next Winter is ambitious.

Totally understand you will feel worried.
There is a lot of reporting in the Guardian about Labour backbench views.

However given the size of the government majority it would take a lot to block it. Lords might send it back, if so that will slow things down.

There is always a point to preparing for financial changes.

Just google back bench rebellion over PiP changes & a lot comes up.

But the OP can't prepare because she doesn't know if he'll lose it or not?

I agree Nov 26 seems ambitious. When is his reassessment due? If before that presumably he'll still be on the current criteria.

No, but just ignoring it is pretty unwise, she can consider what may be possible if.

Like the saying, hope for the best prepare for the worst.

Nothing is stopping the OP preparing is there? If she is able to. I have not said anything in that respect.

I’m also very worried. I’ve not slept for more than a couple of hours since this was announced. I would still qualify under the new rules but as we know, there’s no rhyme or reason to a PIP assessment so it could all change when I’m reassessed.

That is what is hit, and miss with the system of PIP, and some of the conclusions that different assessors deduce.

No one knows and it’s genuinely pointless on worrying about something you have no input in. That’s the attitude i’m taking - really does help with MH if you put it into practice.

I think a bit of staying away from the news for a while is a good idea OP. The situation isn't ideal but it might change. Or if you can't bear to leave it alone, perhaps making some contingency plans should you lose out, might be a good idea. Ways you can cut down a bit or bring in a bit more money if you are able. That might help calm you down (or not!). Wait and see - all could change :)

The light touch review after 10 years isn’t the same as a standard renewal. It’s basically them writing to ask if anything has changed. Unless they change this then I wouldn’t worry at this stage.

I have an indefinite award as I have a degenerative condition that only gets worse.

I know someone whose claim was due for renewal in November 2023, she completed the application booklet, after chasing up several times she’s now been told it will be approximately October 2025 before it’s actioned 😳

The department is already dysfunctional and obviously under staffed. I think the government are delusional with the target of 2026, if in fact it becomes operational. Hopefully sense prevails and it’s vetoed.

The system is a mess. They cannot even deal with the number of reviews that they have pilled up, in a timely fashion. They should sort out the calibre of some of the assessors, and the way that assessments are carried out, leading to so many appeals, that is costing a fortune.

Yes this is why they are talking about scrapping re-assessments for conditions that are not going to get better. they can't cope with all the renewals along with 1000 new claims a day.

I would ask him to request his points breakdown from PIP for information
The PROPOSED change is 4 points on one descriptor of the daily living component
I spent 53 minutes yesterday on the phone to ask for this as my 10 year award is due for “ light touch” review next January.
if passed it will be initiated in November 2026.
Although we don’t know if it will go ahead
preparing doesn’t harm anyone.
I receive enhanced on both as I have CP and bipolar and think I had 4 points on a couple, I can’t remember.

The scrapping of reassements for lifelong/ degenerative conditions is the only thing that makes complete sense, and will save money… which they will need for recruiting extra staff
The 2026 Target is fantasy land especially as they want more face to face assessments
There is at least a 2 year backlog atm

The scrapping of reassements for lifelong/ degenerative conditions is the only thing that makes complete sense, and will save money

This.

They already have light touch reviews if you have PIP for an ongoing period, every 10 months.

I’ve already been granted an indefinite award as I have a degenerative condition, M.S. It is a massive worry for people not knowing what the future holds.

One thing I do know is that the journalists reporting on this don’t exactly know that much about the benefits available. One has talked about incapacity benefit, I’ve also seen a written article about this. This benefit hasn’t been available for at least 15 years, it’s now ESA, which is a legacy benefit and will eventually be moved onto Universal Credit.

They are scare mongering with incorrect information, journalism at its worse. Hopefully if enough M.Ps revolt it won’t be passed. Also a lot of peoples conditions have worsened because during covid the NHS literally came to a standstill for other treatments, especially Gynae, it’s been horrific, hence people deteriorating and having to claim PIP, this will be one of the reasons for an increase in new claims.