The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a significant overhaul of its assessment procedures for disability benefits, combining longer review periods for many claimants with a substantial increase in face-to-face evaluations.
Major Changes to Assessment Intervals and Methods
Under the new plans, the majority of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants aged 25 and over will see the duration between their award reviews extended. For a new claim, the minimum period will be set at three years. At their next review, if they remain entitled to the benefit, this interval could be extended to five years.
This marks a considerable shift from the current system, where the time between reviews can be as short as nine months for some individuals, despite most people seeing no change to their award level at reassessment.
Shift Towards In-Person Assessments
While review periods are lengthening for PIP, the government is simultaneously ramping up the proportion of assessments conducted in person. The Labour government is requiring that 30 per cent of both PIP and Work Capability Assessment (WCA) reassessments be carried out face-to-face.
This represents a sharp increase from previous levels. In 2024, just 6 per cent of PIP assessments and 13 per cent of WCAs were conducted in person. The contract under the previous government stipulated that 80% of assessments should be completed virtually, primarily by telephone.
The number of WCA reassessments is also set to increase as part of the drive to tackle inherited backlogs.
Financial Impact and Ministerial Statement
The suite of reforms is projected to deliver substantial savings to the Treasury. The DWP estimates the changes will save £1.9 billion by the end of the 2030/31 financial year.
Labour's Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, stated the government's commitment to reforming the welfare system. "We’re committed to reforming the welfare system we inherited, which for too long has written off millions as too sick to work," McFadden said.
"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," he continued. "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 changes are scheduled to take effect from April 2026, setting the stage for a transformed assessment landscape for disability benefit claimants across the UK.
