UK welfare reform: What's changing?

The Government has announced plans for major changes to the benefits system aimed at cutting the amount the UK spends on welfare.

The Timms Review is looking at Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and the Milburn Review is looking at the increase in young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Both are expected to publish recommendations later this year.

Nothing will change automatically then. Recommendations from these reviews are not the law. The UK Government would still need to decide whether to accept them, and some changes could require further input from people and experts or new law before they happen.

We'll be keeping a close eye on what these reviews mean for people with arthritis and will keep you updated on how we support or challenge them every step of the way.

What is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that can be claimed by anyone aged between 16 and the State Pension age who has a disability or condition that makes daily life or getting around difficult. People in Scotland can claim Adult Disability Payment instead of PIP.

We know that life can cost more when you have a condition like arthritis. PIP is designed to help with these additional costs.

What's changing with PIP?

At the moment, nothing is changing immediately to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The UK Government is reviewing how this benefit works through the Timms Review. The review has heard from disabled people, people with long-term conditions, charities and benefits experts. The UK Government has already recognised that the current system doesn't work well for many people, especially people with unpredictable conditions like arthritis.

Final recommendations are expected later this year, but no decisions have been made. Any recommendations would still need to be considered by the Government before any changes could happen.

We know all of this can feel worrying for many people in our community, so we'll keep a close eye on developments and keep you updated every step of the way.

Will my PIP stop or change in November?

No, the publication of the Timms Review will not automatically change your benefits.

Following campaigning from Arthritis UK and many others, proposed cuts to PIP were removed from the UK Government’s plans last year. Your current award will continue under the existing rules unless the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) changes it through its normal review process.

I have arthritis. Can I apply for PIP?

PIP is based on how your condition affects you day-to-day, rather than simply the condition you live with. If your arthritis makes it difficult to carry out everyday tasks or getting around, you may be eligible.

We know that life can cost more when you have arthritis. PIP is intended to help with those extra costs.

I work. Can I still get PIP?

Yes. PIP is not an out-of-work benefit. You can apply for and receive PIP while working, studying or volunteering. What matters is how your condition affects everyday activities and getting around.

Many people with arthritis use PIP to help cover extra costs that make work, studying and volunteering possible, like transport, mobility support or specialist equipment at home.

I’m over the state pension age. Can I claim PIP?

If you're over the State Pension age, and are not already claiming PIP, then you can't start a new claim. Existing PIP can continue past the State Pension age if you remain eligible, and claims may also be possible if you've received PIP within the last 12 months. The same rules apply for Adult Disability Payment in Scotland.

However, if you're over the State Pension age, you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance, or Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland. You can claim this if your condition means you need help with personal care, or if you need supervision to stay safe. You can find information and advice on Attendance Allowance here.

Could working, studying or volunteering count against me in the future?

Arthritis UK believes that employment support and opportunities to volunteer should be available for people who want it, but nobody should lose essential support like PIP because of this.

Working, studying or volunteering should never be treated as evidence that someone no longer needs that support.

My arthritis changes from day to day. Could the review help with this?

We hope so. We think PIP assessments should better reflect how unpredictable and fluctuating conditions affect people over time. It’s something we’ve been calling on the Timms Review to look at changing.

Too often, PIP assessments focus on what someone can do on a single day, even though they’re supposed to capture how symptoms or needs may change over time. We believe assessors should look at what life is like on better days, typical days, flare-up days and recovery days too.

What if I have more than one health condition?

Arthritis UK believes assessments should look at the combined impact of all your conditions.

Pain, fatigue, difficulties with moving mental health and other symptoms can all affect daily life. We don't think people should be assessed on each issue in isolation.

Could future reviews of my PIP claim change?

It’s important to remember that no decisions have been made yet. Arthritis UK believes people with long-term conditions that can get worse over time should have longer awards and fewer unnecessary reassessments.

Nobody should lose support unless there is clear evidence that their needs have improved.

What's changing with Universal Credit?

Some changes to Universal Credit have already been announced, while others are still being considered. If you have a long-term health condition or a disability and you’re eligible for Universal Credit, you might get more money if you have difficulty working because of it.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) might say you have either:

'limited capability for work' (LCW)
'limited capability for work-related activity' (LCWRA)

If the DWP say you have LCWRA, you might get an additional payment with your Universal Credit called the LCWRA element.

From 6 April 2026, this payment is either a higher amount of £429.80 a month or a lower amount of £217.26 a month.

You’ll get the higher amount if any of these applied before 6 April:

you were already getting Universal Credit with the LCWRA element.
you reported your health condition or disability, and the DWP say you have LCWRA.
you were already getting LCW but your condition got worse so the DWP started to reassess you, and they say you have LCWRA.
you were already getting ESA with the support component and you continue to get it until you apply for Universal Credit.

If you report your health condition or disability on or after 6 April and the DWP say you have LCWRA, you’ll get the lower amount - unless you meet certain health criteria.

What is the Milburn Review?

The Milburn Review is looking at why so many young people are out of work, education or training and what support could help.

It is focused on employment, health and skills support for young people. It is not a review of PIP itself, and its recommendations will not automatically change anyone's benefits.

Could my age affect whether I get Universal Credit health support?

There could be future changes to who’s eligible for Universal Credit for some people depending on how old you are. The Government has previously suggested restricting access to the health element of Universal Credit for people aged 18 to 21 – and more recently, under 25s who have never worked.

Although it’s important to remember that no final decision has been made yet. These are just proposals. We believe support should be based on need, not age, and will continue campaigning to make sure everyone with arthritis is protected from any changes.

Could I be required to take part in work-related support?

No new requirements have been confirmed. Arthritis UK supports quality employment support for people who want it, but believes nobody should lose essential benefit support because of their health condition.

If I try to work, enter education or training, could I lose my benefits?

Trying work, education or training should not put your financial security at risk.

We think it’s important that people are able to explore these opportunities without worrying that doing so will automatically lead to losing support.

We think PIP should remain in place if you need it, whether you’re in work or not.

My child receives Disability Living Allowance. What does this mean for them?

Existing rules around Disability Living Allowance will stay the same while any reforms are considered, so your child will be able to continue claiming it until they turn 16.

If you live in Scotland, and your child receives Child Disability Payment, this usually continues until they are 18.

My child receives Disability Living Allowance but is about to turn 16. What does this mean for them?

At the moment, your child will need to transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment. You’ll get a letter from the DWP when they turn 16, inviting them to apply for PIP. A PIP award isn't automatic. If you apply by the deadline, their DLA will continue while the PIP claim is assessed. You can find support and advice on this here.

If you live in Scotland, your child will need to transition from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment. You'll need to apply for ADP before they turn 18, to continue receiving CDP while the ADP claim is assessed. You can find support and advice on this here.

The Timms Review may recommend changes to PIP applications, which could mean changes to this process. However, these are just recommendations at this stage. They will need to be considered by the Government before any changes can happen.

We know how worrying this may be for you and your family, so we’re keeping a close eye on developments and will keep you updated every step of the way.

I live in Scotland. What does this mean for me?

Many disability benefits in Scotland are now delivered by the Scottish Government, including Adult Disability Payment (ADP). And Universal Credit changes do not apply in Scotland at all.

Although some UK Government changes may not directly apply to ADP, they could still affect funding and future disability benefit decisions in Scotland.

We are concerned about the impact future reforms could have and will continue campaigning to make sure everyone with arthritis is protected from any changes.

I live in Northern Ireland. What does this mean for me?

Benefits are administered separately in Northern Ireland, but changes made by Westminster are often mirrored here. Changes to the health element of Universal Credit already applied in Northern Ireland in April 2026.

We are concerned about the impact future reforms could have and will continue campaigning to make sure everyone with arthritis is protected from any changes.

What is Arthritis UK doing about possible changes to PIP?

We're working hard behind the scenes, talking directly with decision-makers involved in the Timms Review about what changes we think will work for our community.

Together, nearly 40,000 people supported our Cut to the Bone campaign last year by signing petitions, contacting politicians and sharing their stories. And we won’t stop campaigning until we see a fairer benefits system for everyone in our community who need it.

The Timms Review is a chance to get PIP right for people with arthritis. That’s why we're calling for:

A PIP system that understands how serious arthritis can be
Assessments that reflect what it’s really like living with the condition 
PIP to remain a flexible, non-means tested cash benefit 
Reforms that improve support, not cut it.

With important decisions about the future of PIP still ahead, your support remains just as important. Every action taken helps show decision-makers why getting this right matters for people living with arthritis.

Does campaigning really make a difference?

We've seen first-hand that campaigning can change the conversation and influence decisions on issues like benefits.

Together, almost 40,000 supporters helped us push back against planned cuts last year. Supporters signed petitions, shared their stories and contacted politicians, making sure that the voices of people with arthritis were heard by decision-makers.

The pressure we created helped stop proposed PIP cuts from going ahead. It was a powerful reminder that when people come together to speak up, they can help protect vital support and drive change.

How can I support the campaign?

You can join our Cut to the Bone campaign and help us continue pushing for a fairer system that recognises the realities of living with arthritis.

By taking action, you'll help make sure decision-makers hear directly from people affected by arthritis and understand why protecting support and fixing the system matters.

I’m over the state pension age. How are you campaigning for me on disability benefits?

For people over the state pension age who receive PIP, we’re campaigning to make sure that this benefit works for you – that PIP is fixed, not cut. If you’re over the state pension age and can’t apply for PIP, take a look at our information on financial support for people with arthritis.

As a very small campaigning team, we can’t campaign on every issue, even if we’d like to. But it’s still important for us to be aware of things like this that may impact our community. So thank you for sharing your experience and perspective. We’ll make sure your concerns are fed into our policy and influencing work on disability benefits and support for people with arthritis.

I'm worried about possible changes. Where can I get help?

First, remember that nothing is changing immediately.

We know discussions about changes to disability benefits can feel worrying and uncertain. You're not alone. If you'd like advice about your benefits, these organisations may be able to help:

If you need support from Arthritis UK, you can also contact our Helpline, Online Community and local services.

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