Two personal independence payment (PIP) daily living activities are responsible for the majority of 4 point or higher scores, according to figures released by the DWP.

If Labour’s proposals to limit the PIP daily living component to claimants who score 4 points or more for at least one activity become law, over a million current claimants who do not meet the rule will be looking for opportunities to legitimately meet the criteria.

However, according to data in the Pathways to Work:  Evidence pack: Chapter 2 reforming the structure, viable opportunities may be limited to a few activities for most claimants, as most activities have very few claimants who score highly

38% of claimants score 4 points or higher for activity 1, preparing food (36% score 4 points and 2% score 8 points).

32% score 4 points or higher for activity 9,  engaging with other people face-to-face (31% score 4 points and 1% score 8 points)

The next highest is activity 7, communicating verbally, where 14% of claimants score 4 points or higher.

In order of 4 point score, the daily living activities are:

1 Preparing food  38%

9  Engaging with other people  32%

7  Communicating verbally  14%

10  Budgeting  10%

2  Taking nutrition  10%

5  Managing toilet needs  7%

6  Dressing and undressing  7%

4  Washing and bathing  6%

8 Reading and understanding  6%

3  managing therapy  1%

It appears that problems with activities such as managing toilet needs, dressing and undressing and washing and bathing are not often accepted by decision makers as meeting the 4 point threshold.

So, for many claimants, showing that you need supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal may be the best route, if it applies to you.

Following that, especially for those who live with mental health issues, needing social support to be able to engage with other people may be a possible route, though the law around this is complex, so giving relevant evidence is more challenging.

It is hard to see, based on these limited options for higher scores, how the Office for Budget Responsibility’s prediction that only 10% of claimants will lose their daily living award as a result of Labour’s plans will be fulfilled. 

Comments

Write comments...
or post as a guest
People in conversation:
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    dressing or undressing should be combined so the points separately should be added together same as bathing  washing above or below the wait should not be separate also if added together would give us 4 points or more . trying to answer honestly gives us lower scores because the questions are split 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 13 days ago
    Got my phone review next week and I'm not sleeping or eating with the worry about it I'm terrified it's gonna be taken from me. I was only recently upgraded to high rate care a year ago before the review cos they're was a error in the law so it just makes me so scared now that they may suddenly deem me not in need of high rate care especially all the news about autism and bipolar being singled out. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 days ago
      @Adama I'm the same.   I just don't trust them.   Last time only my MP intervention resqued me.  Good luck!! 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 13 days ago
    the whole process of dealing with the DWP  is a nightmare. I wrote to them to tell them i had deteriorated since I fell and recieved a compression fracture in my lower back two years ago
    they chased me for the form to be filled in within a week, 
    Then I added the news that I have now been diagnosed with cancer of the  oesophagus.
    I had to endure a 2 hour conversation with a professional assessor! which was exhausting, 
    Finally I sent in the letters from the consultants and scans etc, this whole process began in february and still there has been no decision. 
    what are they waiting for - me to die.it is appalling 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 15 days ago
    Can someone explain how light touch reviews will be, as I am sure mine is 2027.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 15 days ago
      @Angel Light touch is where you don't have a face to face interview.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 days ago
    I represent my daughter regarding all PIP interactions due to her multiple disabilities and dread any DWP contact.  Why, because in my experience the initial evidence forwarded is blatantly ignored and substantially marked down by assessors.  Following my robust challenge to the initial application, and almost by return, points were increased to meet higher rate payments for Daily Living Allowance and Mobility. 
    Most importantly, however, it is my opinion that points awarded are intended to just take you "over the line".  In other words, a thorough review is not undertaken by the reviewer.  When receiving the "just over the line" second review, the applicant is so exhausted by the process such that further challenge becomes beyond you.  (NOTE:  My wife and I brought our daughter from a "vegetative state", despite Consultants saying there was little hope.  So we are not inclined to submit easily, but the DWP is something else.)

    Based upon my experience, I feel that there is every likelihood numerous applicants for PIP have been denied a thorough overall assessment, thus missing out on scores of 4 or above.  My contention, therefore, is that the Green Paper reference to using minimum scores of 4 is based upon suspect data and will impact cruelly upon many recipients of PIP.
      
    I am not in the habit of expressing my views in public, but there needs to be an awareness of how badly the DWP, and their contracted agents, treat disabled persons and their representatives.
    My experience also suggests that an enormous amount of incompetence exists in these agencies.
    For example, why is a three year review required for someone whose medical history demonstrates deterioration.  I requested a ten year review supported by medical evidence, but was only awarded a five year review.  How many disabled persons are unnecessarily reviewed, thereby wasting resources.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @John Well said and sadly so true. I don’t understand why obviously sick people with no cure just a worsening of their conditions as time passes is inevitable there should be no need for any reviews in certain circumstances.I strongly believe that the way we are being treated is a violation of our human rights we are certainly not treated with kindness or compassion.I and many others will have been told to avoid stress and the DWP don’t take this into consideration at all. I call that criminal.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 days ago
    As my latest review was completed at the end of Feb For which I was given a precious 4 point award For the first time Which was for PREPARING FOOD Which seems to be the go to 4 points descriptor But even being awarded it I know that Next time the review may come out very different With any changes implemented at the DWP

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 days ago
    I am unable to bathe without another person helping me and I am unable to cook proper healthy meals yet only scored 2 points for each and know that I will not meet the criteria again if PIP qualifying rules are changed.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @Frank Get help from Citizens Advice with form filling because a lot of the questions asked are formed to trick you into ticking the wrong box. You will need to make an appointment with a specialist Benefit Advisor.
      All the best moving forward.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 days ago
    I know a pensioner who is on a light touch review and they are terrified as theirs is due in 2029. 
    Don’t know if people realise but it will have a knock on effect . Because they get pip , they can get pension guarantee credits. This helps with dental charges etc and housing benefit. No pip, more rent to pay , health charge etc.  people will be far worse off . 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @Grace Get Help with form filling from Citizens Advice an appointment with a Specialist Benefit Advisor is required.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 days ago
    Thank you very much for your news report on this and explaining the areas how points are awarded so beautifully🙏🏼
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 16 days ago
      @Maryanne Yes it might be helpful to know where the best descriptor to get those precious 4 points might be
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 days ago
    Just before Christmas, I had a mini-stroke, a TIA. I am 76 years old and currently receiving the higher rate for daily living, but no 4 points. The only permanent condition I am suffering from is loss of speech. This I assume will give 4 points when I inform the PIP at dept. of work and pensions. But, I am hesitant to do so in fear of them stopping my payments while they 'review' my case. What should I do?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @John Weston John You must inform the DWP of your change in circumstances. Ask your Gp for a letter explaining your changes and your overall health issues. Go to Citizens advice. Write down what help you need before you go, ask them to contact the DWP on your behalf also ask if they will copy GPS letter so that you can keep the original as proof. Not sure if in your case you will need to make an appointment. Please don’t assume anything John always get professional help from CA as soon as possible.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 days ago
    As a disabled pensioner , now 68 , I recieve higher rate PIP Mobility , and standard rate PIP Dailyliving of Which  I score 10 points  5 descriptors x2 , I had a change of circum stance and asked for a review of my award , which was a ten year award issued in 2019, the DWP assessment officer i requested a conversation with , after  I received the award to,d me I would only deteriorate as I have degenerative spine disease ,  my recent review was a telephone conversation , with a sceptical health care professional , use the term professional lightly , there are as it understand  it , no recognised qualifications for this generalisation of a title , it was obvious no research had been done by this person as they questioned in a very surprised manner , “who told you you have degenerative spine disease” ? I had to tell him that it was the DWP report for my previous award !!!

    My award was issued from December 2024 again a 10 year award , with no change in my awarded benefit. But at least I hope now to get to December 2034 , without a further review . 

    I live alone , because of this I recieve also pension credit , council tax relief more then the 25% single person rate , dental and sight benefits . Apart from a greedy landlord , my income I can get through , I worked the fields as a young person I pulled my first sack of peas from the vine at 6 years old whether sack/net was full I could not move it and received 5 shillings 25p. For the few hours work . 
    At 13 I worked summers on a farm alongside grown men , for £8.42 for 42 hours a week , plus I did overtime in my thirteenth year I paid national insurance contributions . I left school just before my 15th birthday to work full time on a farm , then in a potataoe processing factory , and onto general haulage a truck driver at the age of 21, no health and safety , no restrictions on weights that had to be lifted standard was 50kg, handed onto stacked to forms 21,000 kg load , also unloaded  by hand ,I worked physically hard for many years this  contributed to my current health damaged joints etc , hit be a car rear ended at the age of 30 I was unable  to perform the physical tasks I used to , so I changed my business , became successful and did quite well until 2008 the financial crash ended my business, in 2014 I was again involved in a no fault of my own accident , and hit by a car as a pedestrian , agrivating and worsening my back issue causing me hernia and a few broken bones also. This was when I initiated for the first time a claim for PIP, I was denied , but persevered and  after two court visits I was awarded by the court 3 years after the date of the acident , backdated pay was given my esa was  also upgraded and backdated including a severe disability payment. 

    So I understand how difficult a claim can be , but after my years in business I learned to be tenacious about detail , and did not give in lightly. My mobility high rate award was not received I till my 2019 review. 

    I fear the loss of my PIP daily living payment , which will then lose my pension credit award  council tax relief warm home discount plus other benefits because of this heinous behaviour by Stephen Tim’s to give no clarification regarding pension age PIP daily living component claimants . 

    This disgusting government now has to go , Starmer even thinks he now has the right to fevers a referendum on brexit , and volunteer the British tax payer to once again contribute to the EUROZONE.

    I came to the conclusion about losing pension credit , by filling in a benefits calculator, which without daily living PIP disqualifies my entitlement for the pension credit, plus several other benefits , I estimate if I am unable to qualify a four point descriptor I will lose around £700 income every four weeks , basically destroying my life , after the millions I have paid in taxes to the revenue over the years , the very saftey net I contributed to wards is being removed .  and will plunge me into poverty, losing my ability to live Independantly I will have seek alternative living arrangements, so we have to defeat this green paper , this has got to be a breach of the human rights bill!

    Good luck every one. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @Colin Ellis Your so right this government needs to go Iv been a labour voter all my adult life, so we’re my parents 
      A government for the working class people that took care of the sick and disabled  what do we have now now, the worst government Iv ever come accross , there cruel monsters and the sooner there gone the better better. The problem I see if all theses changes are passed, when labour are voted out what will the next government do ?
      I really hope one of these mps end up with disabilities that stop there careers, I don waist harm to anyone but theses people make me sick

      Having said that there on that much money anyway they would have enough to retire on 


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 18 days ago
    Can someone anyone please stop what this gov are doing it is making me very Ill
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 18 days ago
      @Angel You are certainly not alone in how you are feeling. And every one affected is doing all that they can to try to convince these clowns that changing course is the ONLY way forward.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 19 days ago
    This 4 point rule is the most DAMNING part of these proposals. Then there is the 'knock on' effect that SLB has eloquently pointed out to UC as for most it is the PIP award that dictates the soon to be historic irESA and equivalent UC elements.

    Most do NOT ever score the full amount required in any one activity/descriptor. They mark you down. Which then subsequently amounts in appeal after appeal.

    This IS going to cause death NO matter what the outcome and indeed our 'health professionals' do NOT have the time for it to provide 100% accurate reports on the impact to our lives on a daily basis. Indeed they would NOT even KNOW. Long gone are the days of the family GP who KNOWS their patients as they should. Other healthcare professionals are probably for the cuts we appear to have become the burden on society. In every way and as such it is ABUSE after secondary ABUSE that some of us are encountering. Just for pointing out the HARM to our 'healthcare' professionals.

    GOD help me with what I have been subjected to in the past 4 weeks! Just for highlighting the HARM inaccurate reports can cause. To a disabled claimant physical, mental and long term permanent ill-health. I WILL NOT BE BACKING DOWN at this point. However, it has caused me HUGE psychological HARM. 

    I genuinely do FEEL that the only people we can trust are those who are going through it. 
    IF these PROPOSALS go ahead I fear that a considerable amount of people will NOT survive the HARM and DEPRIVATION.

    ALL we can do is utilize the letter SLB has eloquently compiled and just KEEP ADDING YOUR NAME to every petition!

    Also anonymously share your stories as to any HARM thus far that this has caused you. For having the 'BALLS' to point out to people who allegedly are supposed to have your health welfare best interests at heart. To include psychological ABUSE.




    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 18 days ago
      @MrFibro It will save labour billions, but will affect local businesses where the disabled spend money.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 18 days ago
      @DJ Thats why its being introduced, and implemented.  it will save liebour billions of £'s, which as we all know will go elsewhere.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    They dont read or care what we say as there  to busy stuffing there faces with wholesome nutritious food in the H O P.

    Subsidised by the same collected taxes.


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    As stated earlier, on Monday (and probably into Tuesday) I will tag/mention every Labour MP on X in a post that attempts to clearly outline the way disability benefits work, and how and why we are going to lose far more than the media and government are saying.  If one MP actually reads it and learns something from it, then that's a win, as they might then tell a colleague.  The message (in draft form) is as follows.  I really wish it could be considerably shorter, but I think that's impossible given the complexity of the system!

    Dear Labour MP. It has been reported that 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter about their concerns regarding the disability benefit cuts, in particular the cut in amount for new claimants to LCWRA (health element) of Universal Credit. This worries me, because this part of the cuts is, in many ways, one of the least damaging.

    The benefit system for the disabled and long-term ill is ridiculously complicated, and I ask you to spend just three minutes of your time reading this post, which explains why the eligibility changes to PIP are far more worrying than the cut in amount paid through LCWRA UC. If you are going to be voting for or against changes that could devastate the lives of an estimated million-plus people, I’d like to think three minutes of your time is a fair exchange.

    So, why am I saying that the cut in amount to the health element of UC is one of the least worrying changes that have been proposed? Well, put simply, because virtually no-one will be eligible to claim it after 2028 anyway if the proposals go through.

    I’ll start with Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The changes to eligibility for PIP will mean that an estimated 87% of people who currently claim the lower rate of the Daily Living Element will no longer be able to claim it from their first reassessment after November 2026. This is a cut to our income of approximately £300 a month.

    This means that people who can’t cook a meal from scratch, can’t wash certain parts of their body, can’t use the toilet without assistance, and can’t cut up the food on their plate will most likely be shut out of PIP. And any illness or disability that effects us in that way most likely means there are many other issues of a similar nature which affect our daily routine – they just aren’t on the form.

    However, what comes next is the real killer (literally). Many people who claim PIP also claim the health element of Universal Credit. But under the new proposals, the Work Capability Assessment to decide whether or not we qualify for that element of UC is being scrapped in 2028. Instead, people will need to have the Daily Living Element of PIP in order to claim it – but, because of the changes to eligibility most people will no longer be able to claim that element of PIP, and therefore won’t be able to claim the health element of UC.

    And perhaps the most bizarre thing is that the mobility element of PIP won’t act as a passport to UC in the same way. So, even if we can only walk one metre, we still won’t be classed as disabled enough to claim the LCRWA/health element of UC.

    So, after losing PIP of £300 a month, we will also lose £400+ a month through our inability to claim the health element of UC. That’s £700+ a month we have lost. The change to the amount of health element of UC is going to be unimportant for most people because they won’t be able to claim it anyway.

    And we’re talking of 1.3 MILLION people.

    What’s more, various members of the government keep repeating the lie that these changes will get disabled people into work. THIS IS NOT TRUE. PIP is NOT an out-of-work benefit. It is money to compensate us for the extra expenditure that our disabilities cost us. If we lose PIP, we lose our independence. If we lose our independence we CAN’T work at all. Many use their PIP to ALLOW them to work.

    The change to PIP is not only shutting people out of that benefit, but also out of the health element of UC. It’s a double blow. One blow we might be able to deal with, but the second will, quite literally, be a killer.

    That’s approximately £8400 a year many of us are losing, or, to put it another way, it’s 28 times the amount that pensioners are losing because of the changes to Winter Fuel Allowance.

    We fully understand how ridiculously complicated the disability benefits system is (and I haven’t even mentioned carer’s allowance that some people will also lose), but it’s ESSENTIAL that you know the basics of it as outlined above before you vote.

    Every Labour MP on X will be tagged/mentioned in a post containing the above explainer. It has been a long process putting that list of close to 400 X handles together, but if just one of you has read the above and now understands the system better, and why the disabled community is so frightened, then it has, of course, been worth it. If nothing else, please don’t get taken in by the lies that this will get people back into work. That will not happen. The only effect the cuts will have is the destruction of peoples lives due to a condition or illness that they have no control over.

    Thank you for your time. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 16 days ago
      @SLB It will also affect pension credit ( claiming pip helps ) which then will affect housing benefit . Those relying on it will have to find more rent. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 18 days ago
      @SLB Superb letter, thank you. Another issue which recently came to my attention is how this may impact those who are currently receiving the 'social tariffs' Internet subscription. Obviously if you no longer receive a benefit you won't be eligible for these offers. As we all know most forms and contacts with dwp etc are dependent upon internet access. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 18 days ago
      @SLB
      You'd bloody well hope they would be excellent at scrutinising the details but, sadly, I fear you're right about a lot of them.

      Cheers!!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 19 days ago
      @SLB It's very good,but uou did gorget yo link the carers allowance losses if pip dl is removed, it adds up to almost 12k a year in losses,I've added my future losses up already  were done! literally!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 19 days ago
      @SLB Thank you brilliant work so appreciated and beautifully written! Maybe we could copy this to our MPs to by email.  I have sent so many emails to mine now though that they are probably ending up in junk mail!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    Labour MPs are realising that they can no longer take usual Labour voters, like me, for granted. They're getting scared of the voters rather than party whips, as many of them have slim majorities and think they have no chance of winning their seat again if they disappoint their voters. Therefore, they think they have nothing to lose if they defy party whips going forward, as their seats are at stake.

    During the last GE, I voted the Greens just for the sake of not voting Keir Starmer's Labour, as I saw the writings on the wall.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @Old Mother That's right. Labour didn't win the last GE but the Tories lost it, as people voted Labour because they got sick and tired of feeling sick and tired of the successive Tory governments and were not necessarily attracted to Keir Starmer's Labour.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @Scorpion Labour only got in because people had enough of the tories.  So their support won’t be strong.  Days are gone of having a loyal base.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 19 days ago
      @The Dogmother I'm the same as Gingin, I try to sign them all but they all come back that I've already done it.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @The Dogmother The Dogmother: Yes, absolutely keep them coming wherever you see them. We’ve got to keep going at it. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @The Dogmother Done
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @Gingin Wasn't sure who'd seen it and who hadn't. Thanks @Gingin.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @The Dogmother I signed but had already done so. I’m finding this is happening almost every time now, but it’s worth doing anyway as it only takes a few seconds of my time and I don’t want to leave any petition unsigned. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    What's scaring me is them moving on towards making changes to the points even further, so for example by removing prompting as a 2 point score, which might be the only way people with 4 points can make up to 8 points for an award. I don't imagine they'll leave it as it is and that's terrifiying. I am in the 1% of people who gets 8 points for engagement but I am acutely aware that although I know that is the right score for me, I have only been awarded it once in 3 reviews. Previously I was only given 2 points across the board which I knew was wrong but I am unable to appeal because it involves too much engagement with other people which I'm not able to do (hence 8 points). We all know that the assessments are often bogus. My MH is collapsing currently and the only thing that's changed for me is this threat. I wouldn't be surprised if we've lost people already. They just keep doubling down and we know they know they're killing us, but they say they won't stop.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @Yorkie Bard Wish I could, but I’m working and it’s too far to travel and to pay to travel anyway. I do hope lots are able to attend 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    Anyone to clarity on PIP for those over Pension age ?
    If the four point activity score goes to plan!!

Free PIP, ESA & UC Updates!

Delivered Fortnightly

Over 110,000 claimants and professionals subscribe to the UK's leading source of benefits news.

 
iContact
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.