Potential Changes to PIP: What You Need to Know

Under Rishi Sunak’s guidance, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has proposed significant changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system that could impact many in our neurodiverse community – and beyond. These reforms, outlined in the “Modernising Support for Independent Living” green paper (linked at the end of this article), suggest replacing regular cash payments with alternatives such as vouchers, one-off grants, a catalogue scheme, or even a receipt-based system.

Why the change to PIP?

In the green paper, the DWP claims that this change is due to PIP being over ten years old and the number of individuals who now claim PIP being higher than ever – however, as we have just come out of a pandemic which has left many people with new conditions and left the NHS overrun, in addition, many conditions such as Autism and ADHD are now more understood and thus more individuals are able to receive diagnosis having been missed for years – this rise in claimants is natural and should level out again in the near future.

In the green paper, the DWP goes on to compare the proposed options to other countries and to existing schemes. However it doesn’t address whether these existing schemes would also still exist or if these would be removed – leaving individuals worse off, with less access to assistance.

Proposed Alternatives to PIP

Voucher Scheme: Provides vouchers for specific costs such as equipment and services.

Catalogue Scheme: Allows claimants to choose items from an approved list.

Receipt-Based Scheme: Claimants would purchase needed items and get reimbursed upon presenting receipts. It is not clear how often one could present a receipt, how often one would be reimbursed, or if there are limitations on the items for which one is allowed to ask for reimbursement.

One-off grants: Offers lump sums for significant expenses like home adaptations.

Implications for Our Community

For many neurodivergent individuals, these changes to PIP could mean navigating new systems to access essential support. The switch from cash payments to vouchers or reimbursement will add layers of complexity, especially for those already managing tight budgets.

There is the added question of what else will they be replacing – how will this affect the motability scheme? The one-off grants for home adaptations already exists – Disabled Facilities Grants, so will claimants no longer be eligible for this? The green paper specifically mentions the Access for Work grant, so this may also be replaced.

A question that is being brought up a lot is – Are DWP saying they do not trust us to spend our PIP sensibly? Is that why they want to control it via a voucher, catalogue or receipt-based scheme? That would mean they can approve or deny on a purchase-by-purchase basis.

My question is, if this is a plan to save the government money, surely it will cost hundreds, if not thousands, more in administrative costs to oversee the approval of this new process?

What Can You Do?

Currently, there is a huge questionnaire taking responses on how these proposed changes to PIP make you feel and what your thoughts are on the current PIP process. I will warn you that this is an incredibly lengthy form, so make sure that you have an hour available to focus, and do it on a computer because they will ask questions that you will need to look up reference material in order to answer such as: “Which questions, if any, on the current PIP assessment form could be merged?”

These questions are impossible to answer without a copy of the PIP application form.
However – this is our time to have our voice heard! Everything you like and don’t like about PIP, all the things that scare you about this proposal – and anything you like about it.

Please take the time to advocate for yourself, and for others in our community.

You can read the full green paper here: “Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper” and you can make your opinion heard by completing the form here, you can also email the DWP with any questions about this consultation or if you need an accessible version of the form: consultation.modernisingsupport@DWP.GOV.UK.

Additionally, if you would like support from us, please reach out to membership@brilliantlyneurodiverse.com. At Brilliantly Neurodiverse, we are committed to keeping you informed and supporting you through these potential changes. We understand these reforms may cause you to suffer from anxiety or stress, etc, but we will continue to advocate for fair and accessible support systems. Stay connected with us for updates, resources and community support.