We know from comments and emails that a lot of people are confused about how Labour’s proposed new PIP scoring system works.  So we’ve created an online test to allow you to try the scoring system for yourself.

You can try the test as many times as you want either anonymously or, if you prefer, provide you email address and get the results sent to your inbox as well as appearing onscreen.

Under the proposed new test the mobility component remains exactly the same.

However, for the daily living component, whilst you must still score:

  • 8 points for standard rate
  • 12 points for enhanced rate

 at least one of the descriptors you select must score 4 points or more.  

So, if you select 4 descriptors scoring two points each, that will be 8 points but it will not qualify for an award.

But if you select one descriptor scoring 4 points and two descriptors scoring 2 points, that will be 8 points and you will qualify for an award.

The changes, if they ever happen, will not apply before November 2026.

Please bear in mind that we have only just created this form, so please contact us if you spot any glitches.

And, even more importantly, remember this is just a proposal and may never become law.

 You can try the proposed new PIP test here.

You can also:

keep up with what’s changing and when

find out what you can do if you are unhappy about Labour’s plans

follow the latest news about PIP and UC changes.

Comments

Write comments...
or post as a guest
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    I still qualify.  I won't hold my breath, but if l have to go to tribunal,  I have no doubt in my mind that I won't win ... 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    Are there not three specific groups protected by case law already by the Supreme Court, is the Government is willing to fight this again?

    Know one is subject on how it effects you if it causes damage to critical parts of your very existence, without medication. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    Let's hope the Government are dragged through the High Courts repeatedly on these proposals.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    If the high court ruled the Conservatives changes to the work capability assessment were unlawful then shouldn't Starmer, Reeves and Kendall already be starting their jail sentences! Surely these changes can't just go through without being challenged. Something as just got to be done.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    I do not know what I would do without the immense support from this website. Commendations should be given to the people who work behind the scenes to make this website so informative, helpful and for given such excellent support in trying to protect and uphold the rights of all disabled citizens in the UK. I disagree with the proposed changes to the contributions based benefit system for people like myself who paid into it for so many years and to be looked after by the state as Im too ill to work. Though all disabled people are entitled to be treated with fairness and respect and have a  decent income to live on. The fraudulent statistics are very low for most  benefits. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Anon Anon
      Totally agree. Sadly many find the guides too much, and I'm now too ill to help. Their PIP training is good though

      But personally I find their guides extremely useful especially on highlighting the legal definition on certain Activities/ descriptors....I often suggest the pip training and suggest they pop to take a look in the guide for legal definitions and the examples

      Yet they return to me.....I am too ill now folks. 

      There are other resources now. In 2012 I would have been lost without B&W
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Anon Thanks, Anon, well said.
      Like some others, I am now retired but, often read the site's news and forums to keep up, as I know quite a few people who get benefits that are discussed on B&W. And I'm very worried for those I know will be impacted, if the legislation is passed. I always pass on the site address and encourage people to use a reputable, truthful site for information.
      B&W has helped me for over a decade to qualify for the benefits. I still get old style DLA. I haven't noted any specific reference to DLA in govuk, though suspect that it too will be changed in time, though for now the words 'working-age benefits' are used -which it is. I might apply for AA and, with the guides here, might succeed. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Dave Dee I concur they've all been good enough on here to put up with my constant moans about being scared stiff. It proves that 'We are not alone'
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Anon I don't know what I would do without the rational voices from these comment sections, I'm not disabled nor claiming incapacity but I care for someone who does and I really worry for him.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    It occurs to me that the 4 point requirement for should be for a middle group and the current 8 points left for the standard group as it is. This should be part of the consultation and be brought up with MPs and others to vary the green paper and the bill when it goes forward


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @James Absolutely no to both yours and SLB's ideas.

      They should tax the rich and leave disabled people the f*** alone.

      They do not need to cut benefits. They are choosing to do this.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @James The straightforward way they could do it and save money is by introducing a third tier for those getting the 8 points but not getting 4 in one question.  Yes, it would be less money than people get now, but it wouldn't be a cliff edge as its going to be if they go forward. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    On a side note, does anyone know how long before a pip claim runs out is it before they start the reassessment process?  It used to be a year, but has that changed more recently? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 days ago
      @Ala They are known to deliberately pull stunts like that to bully.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 days ago
      @slb Do you have to answer a letter if it is eight months before a claim runs out? Mine runs out in October 2027 and I'm going to put it off for as long as possible, delay it for  as long as I can.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Ala No, I think 8 months befroe seems to be the norm, which means my next one will be in December 2026 - one month after the new rules start.  So, I'm sorry to say, I'll ring up and ask for a review before November.  Two can play at their game.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @slb My started 8 months before, but they've send it for my birthday, so I'm not sure, if it's 8 months, or they like to spoil peoples birthday, just for the sake of bullying?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    ESA to uc further update:about halfway threw the migration now the stories are true I used to read about its awful and complex nobody knows what they are doing the call centre staff are rude unhelpful and don’t speak English journal messages are not answered it’s stress deadlines and jumping threw hoops communication is poor it’s just a nightmare you don’t know who these agents are so my advise is stay on esa as long as you can before migrating and enjoy the stress free time and the pip 2028 new health element I won’t qualify for that so 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 days ago
    I think it's important that we don't forget the consultation.  There are still a couple of important questions tucked away in there, and they could make a significant difference on our lives, particularly question 2:

    What support do you think we could provide for those who will lose their Personal Independence Payment entitlement as a result of a new additional requirement to score at least 4 points on one daily living activity?

    As I see it, that question is where we should be

    1.)  Pushing for transitional protection for the people who lose their PIP

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 days ago
      @SLB They have been thinking about this 4 points scoring system over a few months maybe couple years as they will have assessed most claims on file and even though people should have score 4 they have been scoring them 2 & 3s hence the 4 points scoring.  Now the time is right for them to implement this ruling.  Just my opinion.   I have multi disabilities, Stenosis in both sides of my neck crushing my spinal cord for which I have injections every 3 months, Fractured lumber 2 at bottom of spine, multi discs damaged in back, Lung disease causing breathing problems, Fibro, Hypercholesteralemia, sliding hernia, Left Branch Bunch Block had a TIA, Osteoarthritis, Asthma etc and other things.  Until now did not check my pip simply because I was awarded light touch for 10 years, but on checking my scores not 1 descriptor says 4 points which they should, but was enough with 1 point only in getting high rate with 2 & 3 points and to top it off have just been told I have stage 3a Kidney damage. so Im so worried because my husband is my carer he had to stop work to take care of me Im 66 he is 63 so claims UC we are so stressed about this action by the Government. If anyone knows what will happen to me/us Id appreciate some info many thanks. So ssorry about my long post... 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Gingin But the consultation doesn't give us any other options.  There are no questions about the 4 point rule.  And I'm pretty sure they will disqualify comments that are off-topic.  So we have to get what we can from them.  But how transitional protection would work is anyone's guess.  They might as well just say the new rules don't apply to current claimants - the effect would be the same. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @James My post seems to have got cut off halfway through!  The other points were:

      1.) Pushing for transitional protection for the people who lose their PIP
      2.) Pushing to get the mobility element of PIP as a way of getting health element of UC
      3.) Pushing for a PIP third tier for those who score 8 points but not 4 points on one question
      4.)  Allowing those who previously had LCRWA UC to keep the £404 work allowance.  Not doing so would hit people's pockets again and make work less appealing. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @SLB I don’t agree- transitional protection would be better than nothing but if we accept this as an option it gives the impression we’re ok with losing vital financial support long term - for disabilities that prevent us from work but don’t quite make the 4 points 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @SLB There could also be the creation of a middle group for all those who do not qualify under the 4 points but do get 8 points
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    Again, please flood the MP's inboxes. We MUST apply pressure and not make this easy for them to vote into being.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Leah Also respond to the green paper on the government website, we have 12 weeks to give them our opinions. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Leah Thanks. I have contacted my MP James NAISH. I urge everyone to do the same.  We have to make our voices heard!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    Points reduced?
    What experience do people have of the points on a descriptor being reduced when they are reviewed for chronic conditions?
    Will reviews still happen or will everybody be "reassessed" again?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    How can we trust that they won't deliberately mark us down from past questions/scores , what's stopping them giving us a 2 when we'd normally get 4. It's not like they're the most honest of people.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @T They are not to be trusted 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @T You can't trust that they won't deliberately mark you down, but you can trust the appeals process. If you want a successful PIP claim, and believe that you are entitled to 4 points, then you must be prepared to go through a MR, get refused, and take it further to a tribunal.

      The chances of getting a fair decision at a tribunal are very high. 

      It's wrong that this seems to be the expected journey now for an accurate outcome, of course. However, there is a good chance of getting a correct award through a tribunal.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    From the ME association website:

    '''The MEA calls for the government to reconsider proposed welfare reforms, as they could push individuals with ME/CFS into poverty and debt, and urges consultation with medical charities before implementing changes.'''

    '''Many people with diverse and complex needs receive PIP as they gain a few points across the activities assessed in PIP Daily Living, which then add up to the current 8 or more points needed to qualify. This new restriction means that only people with significant needs in at least one activity will be able to continue to meet the eligibility criteria.'''


    Patients with Long Covid share over 50% of the same symptoms as ME patients, (as do a couple of other rarer diseases)

    I have no way of proving this, but I am beginning to suspect that someone at the DWP has crunched the numbers and concluded that these proposed changes, (replacing ESA, UC and PIP with one umbrella point scoring system, scoring 4 points in one specific PIP descriptor) will reject most of the Long Covid claimants, who flooded the system post pandemic......? 


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    So much confusion about Contribution-based ESA and the new Unemployment Insurance any new information on this B&W? Paragraph 54 of the green paper seems to point towards it just being time limited for new claimants. Appreciate all that you're doing for us.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    I’ve got an award until 2028, so due to me not getting any 4 points does this mean I’ll lose my PIP in Nov 2026?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @Bud When your reassessment comes around again, it will be under the new system.  I don't see them reassessing people in bulk as soon as the new rules come in.  Firstly, there are too many.  Secondly, they are already experiencing delays of ten months.  Thirdly, what do they do about people who were only just assessed?   Hopefully the people who have sent forms in prior to November 2026 will be assessed under the old system.  I should get a form around August 2026, so keeping fingers crossed that I might be lucky and get a couple of extra years on the old system!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @Bud Yes. I am in the same situation.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @Bud You'll be reassessed under the new scoring system 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    For me this is another question answering honestly i would get more on pip than i currently do on dla so do i wait to be "invited" to apply or just jump in and claim pip now risk losing my dla 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    Email sent to my MP today: 

    Having read this week's Green Paper on welfare benefits, I am appalled and alarmed that disabled people such as my husband are being treated with such brutality by this government. I would implore and urge you to stand up for disabled people such as my husband.

    The proposed changes would be financially devastating for us. My husband, and hundreds of thousands of people like him, suffers a range of symptoms due to his neurological disorder, but would not qualify for PIP due to the proposed requirement to score 4 points in one category. The proposals would also exclude him from the UC health element. I would lose the carers element of UC.

    My husband’s difficulties affect him so significantly that he would be unable to manage employment, however much support is offered. His significant fatigue, to mention just one symptom, will not be ameliorated no matter how understanding the employer or how much advice and support is offered by a work coach.

    Disability is expensive. Disability is not a life choice! What future for us as a family with two young children? How will we keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, as we pay for the extra medication, transport and heating that my husband needs? I do my best to provide through my own low-paid NHS employment, but we would face an uphill battle without welfare support. And what if I were to become sick? He would still not qualify for PIP or UC health.

    Disabled people face barriers at every turn. They have not chosen disability. Our health and social care system is a mess. Relatives acting as carers will be expected to pick up the pieces of these changes, with the financial rug pulled out from under them. In the context of the Assisted Dying proposals, the government should be absolutely ashamed to be treating disabled people with such cruelty. Many will feel there is nothing left for them, that they are a burden on society, and they will be prey to those who would coerce them towards an early end.

    The consultation questions offer no opportunity to oppose these plans, and therefore the consultation does not offer a voice for the concerns of disabled people at all. The government has chosen not even to consult on many important elements of their plans.

    This is an urgent matter, as I have no doubt that moves towards legislation will happen very soon. As our MP, please take a stand against this. We voted for you as a Liberal Democrat, as we believed the party had the interests of disabled people and their carers at heart. We have no power and we rely on you to represent us. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 days ago
      @Hugo Don't mind at all - the more we flood MPs inboxes the better!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 11 days ago
      @ginger Excellent. I find it hard to send things like this so if you don’t m8 d I may copy some of it to send? Thank you.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    Have just written to my mp again and my GP. I thought it wise to ensure my notes were up to date. I've updated them in the details of my disabilities. Diagnosis are one thing. The symptoms and side effects they aren't always aware of. I thought I'd let them know and asked for it to be added to my notes. 
    Maybe it's an idea for other people. Just in case. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    Gives me a minimum of six 4 pointers and several above. 
    My reassessment is sometimes in 2027 I believe, as my award goes to 2028. 
    I'm on enhanced both currently so if it gets given roughly the same I should be ok. 
    My ESA Contributions Support Group I'm worried about. Is this likely to be removed or time limited? 


    My son I'm more worried about.
    He is on New Style ESA and UC LCWRA. 
    With PIP enhanced and standard. 
    I can't remember what his points were and he is afraid if we ask it'll rock the boat. 
    I think he's due to be reassessed for his PIP next year. 
    He's just this month migrated to New Style ESA and UC LCWRA etc with no issues. 
    Having done the test on here he seems as though if assessed again he may be ok but I'm worried. 


    This is so cruel. As if we don't have to deal with enough. 

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 11 days ago
    This would be devastating for us. My husband would lose PIP daily living, and so the UC health element. I would lose the carer element of UC. Our children would suffer because we would barely afford to live. My husband's prospects of employment would not change one iota. And this is in the context of legislation being debated on Assisted Dying. So many thousands of disabled people will hear our society's message loud and clear, that disabled people are a burden. This will make them vulnerable to coercion towards assisted dying. I will email my MP, who will likely ignore me as she has most other communications, and will engage with any other efforts to fight this brutality. 

Free PIP, ESA & UC Updates!

Delivered Fortnightly

Over 110,000 claimants and professionals subscribe to the UK's leading source of benefits news.

 
iContact
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.