Government launches a review into Personal Independence Payment

Last week the government published its terms of reference for a review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This is known as the Timms Review. It is being led by Sir Stephen Timms MP, the Minister for Social Security and Disability.

The Timms Review is being co-produced with disabled people and other groups. They will lead the review and make recommendations for how to reform PIP.

The Timms Review is an important step towards making changes to PIP. It will take place over the next year and finish in autumn 2026. No changes are going to be made to PIP until after the review finishes.

What is Personal Independence Payment?

PIP is a benefit to help with the extra costs disabled people face, whether they’re in work or not. It is not means tested, so disabled people can claim it regardless of income or whether they are working. People who apply for PIP go through an assessment. You can find out if you qualify for PIP on our website.

What is the Timms Review going to look at?

The Timms Review is a review of the whole of PIP. Including the daily living part and the mobility part. The terms of reference say that it will look at how to make sure that PIP properly supports disabled people. And how to make PIP fairer and fit for the future.

The review is going to cover 5 topics:

How PIP supports disabled people. And how it should continue to support disabled people in the future.
How well the eligibility criteria capture the impacts of people’s conditions. This includes the points system, activities and descriptors in the PIP assessment.
Whether any other evidence should be considered alongside the assessment.
How PIP can provide the right amount of support at the right time.
How PIP gives people access to wider support. Such as a Blue Badge or the Motability scheme.

The review is also going to consider the impact of other changes to disability benefits on PIP. This includes plans to scrap the Work Capability Assessment in 2028. This would make eligibility for the health element assessed using the PIP assessment. These changes are not going to happen until the year 2028. You can find out more about upcoming changes to disability benefits on our website.

Is the Timms Review going to make changes to PIP?

The government have said that no changes will be made to PIP before the Timms Review ends in autumn 2026. The review will create recommendations about how to reform PIP based on its findings. It will then be up to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to decide what changes are made.

However, the government may still make changes to other disability benefits and schemes. You can find out more about the recent changes to Universal Credit on our website.

How can disabled people get involved?

The Timms Review will be led by a steering group of 12 people. This will be made up of disabled people and other important groups like carers and charities. Sharron Brennan and Dr. Clenton Farquharson will co-chair the review with Minister Timms. Both co-chairs have experience of working at disability charities. As well as advising the government around accessibility and inclusion.

The government are now recruiting for members of the steering group. They are looking for people with a range of experience around disability, health conditions and social security. Anyone can apply to be part of the steering group. You can find out more information about the eligibility criteria and how to apply on the government website.

What does Scope think about the Timms Review?

We are pleased to see the government carry out a review of PIP. It has been many years since PIP was last reviewed. We are also pleased that the government will co-produce this review with disabled people. This will offer disabled people a chance to be involved in reforms to disability benefits.

The Timms Review is an important part of changes to PIP. We know that positive change is much needed, so it is vital that the government gets it right. The government have committed to fully co-producing reforms to PIP with disabled people. We want to see the government keep this promise.

We will continue to engage with the government around their plans for disability benefits. And ways that disabled people can get involved in this work. We will keep working to make sure the government hears from disabled people as it makes changes to disability benefits.

Scope is here to help

We understand that changes to disability benefits can be worrying for many disabled people and their families.

Scope can provide practical information and support. You may find it helpful to visit:

Our information and advice pages

Our benefits webpage

You can also share your thoughts and talk to people in similar situations to you on our online community.

If these changes are affecting your mental health, we encourage you to speak to your GP or reach out to support services like Mind or the Samaritans. Our website also offers practical advice on managing your mental health. Visit our mental health support page for guidance.