DWP PIP claimants could be left in limbo amid warning over 'major changes'

PIP is paid to people who require support with daily tasks and is worth up to £184 a week

Recipients of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) could be left in limbo for months, awaiting information on potential changes to the benefit. The previous Conservative Government had planned a significant overhaul of PIP, which included proposals such as replacing some payments with vouchers or completely eliminating cash in certain cases.

The new Labour Government now faces the decision of whether to proceed with these plans. However, any expectations of a swift resolution seem to have been thwarted.

Reports suggest that it will likely be next year before the future of PIP is clarified, leaving claimants facing uncertainty throughout the winter months. Experts have urged Labour not to hasten its decision and to thoroughly consider any potential changes and their impact.

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PIP, worth up to £184 a week, is paid to individuals who need assistance with daily tasks. There's a growing consensus that the current system of blanket payments is unsuitable and outdated, and a more targeted approach is required.

This could encompass various forms of aid including vouchers, single payment grants or a system based on actual expenditure. Labour has committed to reforming welfare, particularly the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) which determines eligibility for PIP.

However, it remains uncertain at this point whether it will adopt the Tory plans.

PIP, known for its two components - daily living and mobility, is tailored to the claimants' circumstances and how their conditions affect their day-to-day life. Concerns are mounting that some people on PIP might be disadvantaged by the overhaul.

The Resolution Foundation conveyed caution to The Independent: "These changes should not be made in haste. They will degrade living standards for low-income families, with 47 per cent of families who receive these incapacity benefits coming from the bottom 30 per cent of the income distribution."