Nearly 3.7 million individuals receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will face a series of changes to the disability benefits system from November 2026, as part of new reforms announced by the UK Government in March. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that payments will increase annually in line with the September inflation rate.

Following the annual uprating last month, those on PIP are now receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Over the course of the 2025/26 financial year, this will result in those on the highest awards receiving £9,747 in cash assistance.

However, existing PIP claimants may find it more challenging to retain their PIP entitlement once the changes are implemented - if the proposed reforms are approved by parliament. This is due to the most significant change announced by the DWP, which pertains to eligibility for the daily living component.

It's important to note that all existing claimants will not see the changes until the date of their next review, so the first step is to check your original award letter - not the annual uprating letter - to determine when your entitlement is due for review.

If your review is scheduled before November 2026, and the DWP clears the current backlog of outstanding PIP reviews, your review should be conducted and a new award decision made which, if successful, should take you past that key date, reports .

If your award review date is set for after November 2026, you will be subject to the newly proposed assessment changes and the revision of the points system for the daily living component.

It's crucial to note that you must score at least four points in one of the 10 daily living questions to qualify for payment - even if you score two points in every question, taking you past the award thresholds of eight (standard rate) and 12 (higher rate).

The original award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) includes details of the points you scored for both the daily living and mobility parts of the application form.

However, if you've lost that letter, you can contact the DWP and request a copy of your claim form. This will enable you to see how many points you scored in each of the sections for the daily living payment and check if you would still qualify under the new reforms.

Please bear in mind, this isn't about trying to 'cheat' the system. Some people may have filled in the PIP 2 evidence form a long time ago and can't remember the descriptors they identified with.

Others may have had someone complete the form for them, and some people's conditions may have changed over time, leading to different responses now. Understanding how you filled out the original form that led to your award could also boost your confidence that the changes won't affect you.

Alternatively, it might make you realise that you will lose entitlement and allow you to start planning for this change. Submitting online claims for PIP can make it easier to save a copy for future reference on your home computer or laptop.

However, if you choose to use a paper-based form, it's important to make a copy of the original document before sending it off. If you don't already have a copy of the PIP 2 evidence form - the health questionnaire you completed before your assessment - you can request one by calling the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433.

Keeping a diary is an essential tool for all disability benefit claimants. It doesn't necessarily have to be a physical document; using your mobile phone, computer, laptop or tablet can be a convenient way to note down 'bad days' and record significant moments related to your condition.

You can create a specific note, complete with time and date, where you can add things you might want to mention at a future PIP review, or simply add it to the calendar function.

This doesn't have to be a daily task, but rather something that reflects how your condition impacts you. This could encompass everyday tasks that you struggle to safely complete on your own, instances where you forget to take medication, or feelings of depression or frustration stemming from your condition.

You might also want to note if routine activities:

• Take you a long time
• Makes you feel breathless
• Puts you or someone else in danger
• Makes you unsteady
• Were painful for you

Maintaining a health diary, especially if your condition varies, can be advantageous. It can assist you in conveying 'good days and bad days' to healthcare professionals and monitoring the frequency of significant health incidents.

It's vital to attend all medical appointments related to your condition to keep your records up-to-date. This could involve counselling or physiotherapy sessions.

Contacting a charity or organisation that specialises in your condition could also prove helpful. They can offer expert advice and ensure you're not missing out on additional support.

These are just a few suggestions for those receiving disability benefits to secure their future payment award by creating a personal evidence trail. This can make it easier to recall specific examples of how their condition affects them.

You can contribute to the UK Government's consultation on proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on GOV.UK