The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update to state pensioners ahead of upcoming reforms to Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

PIP is a benefit that provides support to those with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities and is claimed by around 3.8 million people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is paid in two different parts – a daily living part if you need help with everyday tasks, such as cooking, washing and dressing, and a mobility part if you need help with getting around. Claimants may be eligible for one or both but each is paid at a different rate. Currently, if you get the daily living part, the lower weekly rate is worth £73.90 or £110.40 if you get the higher rate. If you get the mobility part, the lower weekly rate is worth £29.20 or £77.05 if you get the higher rate.

Last year, the government announced plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for PIP to help get more working-age people on benefits back into work, with the reforms to see PIP be more targeted at those with higher needs. But the DWP has confirmed that state pensioners will not be affected by upcoming changes.

From November 2026, claimants will need to score a minimum of four points on one daily living activity, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria.

The government also plans to carry out more frequent assessments for people claiming PIP, with more of these assessments to be done face-to-face.

The planned changes mean it will be more difficult for people to qualify for PIP, particularly new claimants or those facing reassessment, and so fewer people will get the benefit as a result, while current claimants could see their payments stopped or reduced.

In an update on the changes, the DWP said that nine out of 10 people currently getting PIP are expected to be unaffected by the new rules. This means that 10% of those currently claiming can expect to be impacted by the changes, which could include losing their eligibility for the benefit, or having payments reduced.

DWP figures from the end of October 2025 show approximately 753,206 people aged 65 to 79 were claiming PIP across England, Scotland and Wales, but the government has confirmed that pensioners will be exempt from the upcoming PIP reforms.

In a written response to Labour MP Paula Barker last year, pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said: “Our intention is that the new eligibility requirement in PIP in which people must score a minimum of four points in one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component, will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.

“In keeping with existing policy, people of State Pension age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by the proposed changes.”

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Additionally, Sir Stephen also provided a written assurance that people receiving end-of-life care who are on PIP will continue to have access to the enhanced daily living component rate of PIP under the reforms.

He said: “We recognise that people nearing the end of their life are some of the most vulnerable people in society and need fast-track and unqualified support at this difficult time.

“People who claim, or are in receipt of, PIP, and are nearing the end of their life with 12 months or less to live, will continue to be able to access the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP.

“We will also maintain the existing fast-track route under the special rules for end of life and where claims are currently being cleared in two working days. This fast-track route will not be impacted by the new eligibility requirement for PIP.”

Current PIP eligibility rules state that you must be under State Pension age to claim it if you haven’t received PIP before. So if you are already over State Pension age, which is currently 66, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

But if you have received PIP before, you can still make a new claim if you were eligible for it in the year before you reached State Pension age.