DWP PIP assessments explained as Liz Kendall's changes could hit thousands every month

The eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a £700 monthly benefit, has been tightened this week by Liz Kendall. Despite concerns that it could be frozen or means-tested, the Work and Pensions Secretary announced changes to the PIP assessment scoring for the daily living element.

PIP consists of two components: mobility and daily living. To qualify for the daily living element, an assessment is required to determine how safely, quickly and efficiently you can perform 10 daily activities, while there are two mobility activities for the mobility component.

Each activity in the assessment carries a different point value, ranging from six to 12. The number of points you receive depends on how safely, quickly and efficiently you can carry out the activity, according to charity Turn2Us.

One of the lowest-scoring activities is handling money. This category has a maximum of only six points, which you will need to demonstrate that you struggle with handling money to the extent that you cannot add up shopping or work out change even with assistance.

You could earn four points in this activity if you require help or a reminder to calculate your shopping. You can get two points if you can only budget and pay bills with someone else's help, and no points if you're able to manage your finances independently.

On the other hand, speaking is one of the activities that can earn you the most points. If you cannot speak or understand others even with the assistance of a specially trained person, such as a sign language interpreter or support worker, you could receive up to 12 points.

If you can speak and comprehend a simple sentence with the help of a specially trained individual, you might be awarded eight points. If you require assistance to speak or understand more than one sentence, you could receive four points.

Two points are available for individuals who can only speak or hear with the use of a special aid, like hearing aids or communication books. If you can communicate and understand others without any assistance or aid, you won't qualify for any points.

Other activities in the daily living assessment include:

• Preparing food
• Eating and drinking
• Managing your treatments
• Washing and bathing
• Using the toilet and managing incontinence
• Dressing and undressing
• Talking, listening and understanding
• Reading
• Mixing with other people
• Managing money

These points are all added together and if your total is between eight and 11 you may be eligible for the standard rate of £72.65 a week. If you get 12 or more you may be eligible for the enhanced rate at £108.55 a week.

Ms Kendall's incoming amendments, set for November 2026, will retain the current criteria for those applying for PIP but add a new requirement: applicants must score at least four points in one activity to qualify. This reform is expected to reduce the number of eligible claimants, impacting thousands, which the secretary of state highlighted during her speech in Parliament: "Every day, there are more than 1,000 new PIP awards."