Benefits and Work has created a brief, anonymous questionnaire about the PIP cuts in which your answers will immediately be published online.  The one page survey is for anyone who currently gets PIP daily living without scoring any 4 point descriptors.

The purpose is to provide some of the evidence about who the cuts will affect and how, which the government is desperately trying to keep hidden from the public.

So please consider completing the survey.  It will allow, campaigners, researchers, journalists, MPs and ordinary members of the public to get a better understanding of who Labour is targeting as it tries to rush through these savage cuts.

In the survey you are asked not to give your real name or any name you routinely use online, in order to protect your privacy as your answers will be immediately published online.

There's more information and a link to the survey here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 hours ago
    **The GOVERNMENT consultation I hasten to add… 
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    · 1 days ago
    In the absence of a major Disabled Rights Movement, the future for disabled people is catastrophic.

    Other minority groups that were historically persecuted have created rights movements to protect themselves from discrimination.
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    · 1 days ago
    Wouldn’t be surprised that they have discussed bringing workhouses back, they seem happy too make the poorest people poorer, either kill us of earlier or lock us up for debt, as we are not moving forward & equal we are going backwards in time where only the elite & rich are welcome to a voice
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 16 hours ago
      @Hellen I gave ‘Workhouses’ as one of my responses in the consultation… 

      Ditto the Assisted Dying Bill.. 
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    · 1 days ago
    I hope when/if the time comes Benefits and Work can set up a questionaire/database for people who lost their PIP because of the changes. They can describe their conditions/disabilities, and show what points they got. If we get a big enough data set of unfair decision making it may be useful. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    B&W have done a good thing setting up this independent survey. The responses are so revealing and brave. Being told what people suffer and informed of the individual financial implications give a proper insight into the lived experience.

    We must all do our best to complete it as a way to submit our own personal impact statement in order to counter the government's bogus consultation which doesn't ask the right questions and so stands in the way of truth.

    If you possibly can, please also complete the government survey, steering away from their questions and giving your own answers.

    The government cannot be allowed to hide behind skewed statistics, pretence of savings and nonsense about changes in behaviour. They and the Work and Pensions Committee Green Paper inquiry should be faced with real cases, accounts from each of us of what we stand to lose.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Labour were not elected 9 months ago on a manifesto pledge of impoverishing 400,000 disabled people.

    The UK is NOT a democracy.

    ▪Monarchy - anti-democratic.
    ▪Heriditary Lords - anti-democratic.
    ▪First-past-the-post system - anti-democratic.
    ▪Party whip system - anti-democratic.
    ▪Bait-and-switch manifestos - anti-democratic.

    The facts speak for themselves.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 days ago
    I want to know how long it will be until the Right To Try comes into force.

    Until that comes into force, the risk of trying a job or self-employment far exceeds the reward.

    That is only good change they are proposing, and is only relevant for some of us.

    We really need the safety net of a continued LCWRA guarantee to be in place before we start work or self-employment.

    Until the Right To Try: No Reassessment guarantee is in active force, we cannot attempt anything, because if it doesn't work out, our survival is endangered.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 15 hours ago
      @Anon The right to try and guarantee of no immediate reassessment was part of last year's Tory proposal, which Keir Starmer's Labour have copied, or inherited as they prefer to call it. It involved in "supporting" disabled people and people with long-term health conditions whom Keir Starmer is now calling people with behavioral problem who simply need to change their behaviour of being ill or disabled, getting into work and/or staying in work, and the condition for returning to the social security benefits which claimants were previously entitled to without any immediate reassessment was that they had to be trying (the) work for a period of two years,

      Labour haven't provided details on this yet, as they said that they would so later on, and I heavily doubt that it would be different from the Tories' proposal.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 19 hours ago
      @Scorpion Exactly, and they have trick wording in that it won’t ‘automatically’ lead to reassessment based on doing the job- this just means they will find some practical aspect of the job to say you’re now well, just as PIP assessors tend to do. Or have an assessment a few months in. Plus how can anyone trust what they say now?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Scorpion I didn't quite understand that.

      They won't let you start a job or self-employment for a few months, what, after telling them that you want to try starting one?

      What program will they put you on if you need to return?

      Have you read details about this in the green paper?

      They said it's a guarantee of no immediate reassessment?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Anon The "Right To Try: No Reassessment guarantee" itself is a trick and trap!

      They won't let you try a job for a few months and then, for example, say I can't cope, I'm done, I want to go back to my sickness benefits. Too good to be like this.

      You'll be put on the program which comes with its own commitments and conditionalities.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 days ago
    I injured my lower back at 18 & although I lived as normal life as possible I’ve had problems with pain & spasms for the most part. I’m also a victim of domestic violence for 12yrs. I’m out of that relationship. My back & anxiety I lived with for many yrs. I’m now 58. A couple of years ago, back symptoms increased as did my anxiety. 
    I got mental health help & was diagnosed with ptsd. I did talk therapy for months, but that timed out. I asked for an mri & was diagnosed with spondylosis on the area scanned. I’m taking medication for physical & mental health. I struggle with daily activities & mobility & after assessment, I was awarded standard living component but only scored 4 for mobility a am not paid that part. I’ll not go over everything here but will focus on the main thing that’ll affect me with the new 4 points. To start I need help with washing & dressing my lower body & need help getting in or out a bath. Both of these areas, where need help. If I try to get in the bath & while getting out the bath, washing & dressing my lower body, mostly it pulls on my back & causes very painful spasms. I then have to get diazepam from my dr to release the spasms. This can take 3-4day to ease the spasms. While I have spasms, I can barely walk, perhaps a few steps with a stick to the toilet. I cannot clean myself tho. I cannot walk more than a few steps. Can’t get up sit down easily. Can’t so or stand to cook. Cannot twist either way. I get 2 points for lower body & 3 for bath. So I’ll no be eligible for standard living pip. If they was to review the point & raise lower body care to 4 or the getting in or out the bath, then I’d be eligible for standard living. If the don’t raise this or cancel the 4 points idea, I’ll be left in such pain because of the spasms, that I’ll end up being entitled to the higher payment in living & mobility. Because I’m almost completely immobile with these spasms. It confuses me but I’m also anxious about losing this payment, which pay for help with my daily struggle to bath & dress. I cannot afford this care more than twice a week, on lower standard amount,  but it’s helped improve my mental well-being. I’d gladly work if possible, but by removing my pip, I’ll become more disabled. I truly hope the government reconsiders or perhaps looks into reviewing the points system, by upping some points. Importantly, I hope consider consulting on this issue, because they need to get it right. If rushed through, not only will this cause suffering to the vulnerable, eventually I’ll cost even more money. Like in my case. It needs to be addressed. I agree there’s many people exploiting the system, that must stop. But not by rushing it through parliament in a very hushed way. Or by punishing people in genuine need. Like In my case, where it would end up costing the government more. It will take me a long time to apply again. Leaving me in pain until I’m awarded even higher rate of pip. I’d rather the government took a little more time over this. I’d  stay in the lower payment than suffer painful spasms & not be mobile for months at a time. Just because the point system is wrong. Let’s hope the government actually realise they need to look in closer detail. 



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    · 2 days ago
    I have been assessed for PIP twice. Initial decisions saw me score none or very few points. MRs and I still didn't qualify. Yet at the tribunal stage I was successful both times, most recently getting enhanced rates for both components. Lucky enough to get 4 points for 1 activity both times at the appeal. But Holy Moly, it is stressful going through the process. 
    I will probably have to go through it all again when next assessed....
    Please if necessary, take your case to appeal and argue your opinion with as much vigour as possible, to get the result you are entitled to!
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      · 1 days ago
      @WorkshyLayabout It is to put people off of trying 
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      · 1 days ago
      @Blip! Having been told I was entitled to 0 points So no PIP AT at all I took my claim to appeal and I then became entitled to higher for both parts last time So it is always worth an appeal The stress is always off the chart
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @Blip! If the assessor were to assess a person correctly, there would never be the need for a mandatory reconsideration and a tribunal. The whole process is made as deliberately long winded and as difficult as it can be. 
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    · 2 days ago
    I have just listened very carefully to Liz Kendall's reply to the questions after announcing the cuts, definitely says that people who are too sick to work will not be reassessed. So, the question is who is deemed to ill to work and when will she release the criteria for this status?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 days ago
    I am deaf both ear since birth, no hearing aids cos they no benefits to my need. I scored 8 points in communcation in daily living and 10 points in planning and journey in mobility.

    I am very distressing - will I get PIP under new 4 points?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 17 hours ago
      @Anon A I too am on the new style ( cbesa) and l have learned something from Disability Rights on this issue.
      As long as you are still deemed unfit for work on your next assessment, you will continue to be paid.
      I believe that the PIP assessment will be used though FROM Nov 2026 to decide the outcome.
      And that’s the sticky part.
      I wish you well 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Deaf Man I sure you will be fine, I cannot see how those points could be reduced. You have over 4 points in two descriptors.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Robin Hood That's my position, ongoing award and yet because its for mh ,they completely ignored my physical health problems, I feel I will not be in that group, I'm on cb esa as well,they're not going to keep paying that are they?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @Deaf Man In your position if your disability will deemed to be on-going I gather that means you’re PIP will be a light touch meaning you shouldn’t be called in and on-going should be indefinitely.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @Deaf Man I'm no expert but you should be OK, You need to score a minimum of 4 points in one descriptor or question in daily living and you've scored eight in communication. Just to be sure, do contact Scope where an experienced adviser can definitely confirm that I'm right.

      Phone. 0808 800 3333
      Email. helpline@scope.org.uk

      The link to their website is 

      Good luck, I do hope that I'm right. 
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    · 2 days ago
    Hello, I have had a quick look at some of the forms that people have submitted, and I am grateful that they have. However, it would probably strengthen our cause further if we could get evidence from younger people (under 40) who currently receive PIP standard daily care for why it is important to them that the cuts do not go ahead. Also, as would be expected, most of those stating that they have physical disabilities are 50+. As I have mentioned before in other posts, my sensory impairments were present at birth. If possible, could B & W ensure that their forms are passed onto organisations such as Sense, cerebral palsy, spina biffida.  Many people with these conditions will have managed (often by sheer bloody mindedness) to live independent lives, but are the most likely to suffer from the cuts.  RNIB used to state that 50% of sight loss is preventable; not for those born congenitally sight impaired.  The prognosis for those, especially for something as dreadful as Battens syndrome, or Ushers, or until 1970, Rubella is pretty grim.
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    · 2 days ago
    Of all the replies to this, there are only about 2 people on Enhanced Daily Living who actually scored a 4 or more in one of the tasks. These replies paint a sad picture of people who are struggling very much with their illnesses and disabilities yet (in the eyes of the DWP) - just not struggling enough to score a 4. If this small survey is anything to go by, it is a VERY worrying indication of just how many people will lose PIP because of the intended 4 point rule. I hope there can be a legal challenge over it because the new intended 4 point rule is deliberately setting up claimants to fail because the goalposts will have been moved.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Moose The DWP assessors always lie and water down the effect to which your illness is affecting your ability to do things. I was housebound and said I that the last time I had managed to even get out the house was two weeks ago and that I often had to return home as I couldn't even make ot down the street. The assessor said I can walk and get out 'most days'. Challenging this stuff is so stressful and they know many won't go out their way to challenge it as they're already struggling so much. This is how they rob you of points
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Moose That's because B&W asked for people scoring under 4 points to complete the form.
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    · 2 days ago
    I can tell you one thing, if pip is cut then it’s going to push me out of work, pip allows me to stay in work and not have to suffer trying to work full time hours as being disabled I can’t work that long through the pain and disability. I have worked the past 15 years and had to reduce hours over time but I make sure I do my fair share, so instead of pip cuts getting more people into work it’s going to do the total opposite to the likes of myself and push me out of work into a worse position. PIP Is a lifeline for so many employed and unemployed, it’s a disgrace what is happening. 
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      · 2 days ago
      @John Well said John my wife is in the same boat she insist on working but after 5 hours that her lot for the rest of the day.
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    · 2 days ago
    Hi all, I have completed the survey. Let's hope common sense and justice prevails.
    I try to stay positive but as I've always told myself...they are the government, they can do want they like !  Despite so called consultations, they are just a formality, many decisions are already made. 
    But let's hope that the protests against these discriminatory and cruel changes have some impact and that disability organisations will also be listened to.

    We'll just have to deal with it when if and when it ever happens, but we won't be doing that alone. 



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    · 3 days ago
    Hi everyone, I was hoping someone could give me some positive or words of encouragement for my partner who will heavily be affected by these cuts. He has agoraphobia, realistically hasn't been able to leave the house without me in 5 years, also is very sensitive to stress and is in a constant battle of trying to stay on top of his mental health as he struggles with depression (he was actually doing a good job with that until these cuts), however since these cuts were announced, I've noticed a big change in him, he's not sleeping, he's eating less, won't spend a penny on anything other than essentials as he's scared that money can be stopped at any moment. He over thinks everything and said he's either going to end up homeless or in the ground, and I feel so helpless for him. I am a full time carer for my children and when he loses his benefit, it will most likely affect mine which is making my partner feel like a burden which is so dangerous for anyone with MH issues to feel. I just hope there's some news or some chance that these disgusting cuts won't happen.
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      · 15 hours ago
      @WorkshyLayabout WorkshyLayabout He has always struggled with the anxiety, despite constantly trying to tackle it, it's like he just freezes. he spends so much time looking out of the window and seeing people around his age living their life, just wanting to get outside and meet people, but when they time comes, he can't get through the door. It took a long time for him to accept the problems that he has. However, he came off anti depressants last year and had been keeping on top of it after being on them for 6 years. The thought of beating his agoraphobia keeps him going and being on LCWRA was his safety net. Once the cuts were announced, it totally send his MH into a spiral and now his anxiety and depression is the worst it has ever been, it's totally taken the fight out of him, before he would atleast TRY to get outside, sometimes he could, sometimes he would get too anxious and change his mind last minute - but now he can't even try, he just wants to sleep and stay inside. And then there's the depression coming back, those feelings of dread being helpless and trapped, he most likely will need to go back on anti depressants now. 

      He described it before as having a safety net under him, he was able to try to "sort himself out" if he failed, he still had security and could try again when he feels up to it. But now, that's gone. Suddenly getting outside, tackling his anxiety becomes an impossible task. He feels so helpless, it's absolutely crushing him.

      My partner is just one man, and there's hundreds of thousands who will be in the same boat, these cuts will NOT get people into work, it will amplify their existing problems and amplify them. Pushing them further away.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 16 hours ago
      @WorkshyLayabout WorkshyLayabout 

      Thank you so much for the response, everyone has been so kind and supportive and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I apologise for the late reply. I've been with my Partner for 11 years now and this has been one of those situations where I don't know how to be supportive, you have all helped me so much.

      He should score points on that question, however when I'm able to get him outside once or twice a month with me (literally the only time he leaves the house), he is able to speak to people briefly, people just assume that he's really shy, so although 90% of the time he can't actually leave the house and would certainly avoid people, there's still the odd occasion where he will talk to people when I get him inside, so I'm not sure that he would quality after all. These questions seem so black and white and MH, Anxiety etc isn't like that. There will be the odd day where I get him outside and he puts on a brave face, although never on his own. He has always tried so hard to tackle his issues, countless CBT and Therapy sessions etc, but it takes a toll on him and even something like me going for a walk to the park with him takes lots of preparation and planning on his part. 

      I'm going to do the test for him, that's a good idea. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @WorkshyLayabout The problem with this is, we know what points we should receive, but this is not being reflected by the decision of the assessors. My husband should have 8 points on socialising, but he got 4. Also budgeting decisions he should have got 4 minimum, but he got less. We didn't appeal this as he got enhanced, but should this become a problem we certainly will be.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Anon A Jess R's partner can return back to how he was before he got wind of these proposed cuts. That may still be low on the emotional scale but it is better than where he is now. Fear, despair and powerlessness are as low as someone can mentally go. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @WorkshyLayabout I have ptsd. Affecting me going out. I can’t leave the house unless I’m with family. I was a victim of domestic violence for 12yrs. The dwp didn’t believe me & so I don’t get mobility. I went through mandatory consideration but no joy.  MH issues are so hard to prove 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 days ago
    A couple of updates:  

    Firstly, the consultation is going to have a series of in-person and virtual events where we can give our views.  That's going to be unpleasant for the people running them, I should imagine!!   The details of those events can be found at:  
    https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

    Secondly,  Stephen Timms is interviewed on a BBC Sounds podcast, which can be found at:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0l2yr0g

    To save you time, it's a pretty easy ride for him.  He basically waffles on about getting disabled people into work, and says the 4 point rule is the fairest way to restrict the least disabled from getting PIP.  That's clearly not true.  You can be severely disabled and still not get 4 points.  But he doesn't understand that.  HOWEVER, he  say this:

    "The least severely impared will no longer be eligible for the benefit, and we are consulting to see what transitional help and support is going to be needed to make that successful."

    That doesn't tell us much, but it might at least be another nod to the recognition that transitional payments might be available when all of "this" (rearrange the letters if you wish) hits the fan.    This issue is also mentioned in the green paper:

    "This includes options for transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for PIP and the entitlements linked to their award. In addition, we also want to consider how to support those with lower needs in a large number of PIP activities, as part of these changes. "

    We can but hope. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @SLB Why doesn’t the government review the point system. In my case I get 2 for dressing lower body & 3 for help getting in bath. That’s 5 points. Why is it less for help washing below the waist than above. I don’t understand. If I get in or out a bath without help, my back pulls & goes into spasms. Leaving me in agony for days, barely able to walk sit stand,  clean myself after the toilet. Can’t even get into a car without extreme pain. I have to take diazepam for day to improve it. Doctors hate giving this out
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @SLB How does Mr Timms et al plan on convincing employers that they need to employ all the 1000s of sick and disabled that are suddenly fit for work? No amount of support or transitional help will persuade a single employer to take any of us on. Unless that support is fining companies for having too few disabled employees. Governments always like quotas and targets.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @SLB Stephen Timms is just another evil. We've wrongly thought that he was on our side.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 days ago
    Tell me to shut up as I know I’m talking far too much on here but I’ve read some of the submissions on this B&W survey and I know I’ll sound silly but I just want to say how amazing you all are- people are terrified but they’ve still found it in themselves to hope and to say their piece. I don’t want to sound patronising but I’m really, genuinely in awe. I’m not the one in our household with the health condition but I can only imagine how hard it is to hope while coping with symptoms and pain, mental or physical. Sorry, I’ll shut up now. I’m just proud to be part of this community. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 days ago
      @Gingin I completely agree with you. I’m in awe of everyone who has responded to and genuinely moved by what I have read. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 days ago
    I’ve responded to your survey Steve and B&W team. Thank you so much for doing what you can to give us our voice back, you can’t know how much this means to me and my family. 
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