Consultation on Reforming Health and Disability Benefits
Consultation on Reforming Health and Disability Benefits
On 18th March 2025 the Government launched a consultation on what it intends to do to reform the benefits system – in particular, health and disability benefits.
There are, however, some aspects of the system that will not be open to consultation. These include removing the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and replacing it with a single Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process; the new assessment will be the gateway to both PIP and the Universal Credit health element.
The proposals for PIP also include focussing the benefit on those with higher needs.
To this end, the Government intends to introduce a new eligibility requirement: a PIP claimant must score a minimum of 4 points in at least one daily living activity, plus points from other activities amounting to at least 8 points for an award of the standard rate of the daily living component.
It’s simple maths: for an award of the standard rate of the daily living component 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 will not lead to an award; 2 + 2 + 4 will lead to an award.
This has consequences for carers. Recognition of the status of a carer in the social security system through Carers Allowance or the carer element of UC depends on that carer looking after someone on a qualifying benefit. One of the three main qualifying benefits is the PIP standard rate daily living component. If fewer people make successful claims for this component of PIP, fewer carers will be recognised via carer benefits for the service they provide.
If you are looking after someone, regardless of any benefits that you are entitled to or claiming, you can still register with York Carers Centre.
