The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced that eligibility criteria for the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will undergo scrutiny alongside the daily living element, forming part of the UK Government's sweeping welfare shake-up. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms is set to jointly lead the review with disabled people's organisations and charities, with completion expected this autumn.

During Tuesday's State Pension and benefits uprating debate in Parliament, Sir Stephen clarified the review's timeline after Conservative MP Rebecca Smith suggested it wouldn't surface until next year.

Sir Stephen said: "I am co-chairing a review of PIP that will conclude by the Autumn of this year; she (Rebecca Smith) said that she did not think that the review would happen until 2027, but it will conclude by the Autumn of this year."

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Those awarded the enhanced rate of PIP's mobility component can redirect some or all of their payment towards leasing a new vehicle, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair via the Motability Scheme. Recent statistics from Motability Operations - the organisation operating the transformative Motability Scheme - reveal there are currently 815,000 customers nationwide, reports the Daily Record.

Meanwhile, there are presently more than 3.2 million Blue Badge holders throughout the UK. DWP figures reveal that over 3 million PIP claimants are receiving either the standard or enhanced rate of the mobility component.

This breaks down to 1,961,029 claimants awarded the enhanced payment of £77.05 weekly, and 1,111,219 receiving the standard rate of £29.20 per week. Currently, nearly 3.9 million people are claiming PIP throughout England and Wales.

Former Labour MP Rachel Maskell, now sitting as an Independent, recently posed a written question to the DWP regarding what measures it's implementing alongside the Chancellor to jointly develop policy reforms to PIP's 'mobility allowances'.

Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms responded in writing: "The PIP mobility element is in scope of the Timms Review, which aims to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future. We will co-produce the Review with disabled people, and their organisations to ensure lived experience is at the heart of its work. We will provide an update shortly.

"We will not make changes to PIP eligibility, including for the mobility element, until the Review has concluded."

During the Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled proposals to overhaul the Motability Scheme. The reforms include scrapping VAT relief on additional payments - one-off voluntary contributions needed to lease pricier vehicles through the Scheme - alongside introducing Insurance Premium Tax on leases. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles that have been substantially modified won't be hit by tax changes, nor will existing leases.

Motability will carry on supplying vehicles at no extra charge beyond the worth of qualifying disability benefits.

PIP in a nutshell

PIP can help people over the age of 16 and under State Pension age with the extra financial costs for more than 500 health issues or disabling conditions, which may be physical, sensory, mental, intellectual or cognitive, or any combination of these.

The latest figures from the DWP show more than 3.9m people across Great Britain were receiving PIP at the end of October. A successful claim for PIP is now worth between £29.20 and £187.45 each week to help with the additional costs of daily living and mobility needs.

However, an award for PIP may enable claimants to access means-tested benefits even if they have previously been told they are not eligible.

This is because entitlement to PIP, can act as a gateway or passport to other benefits, such as Carer's Allowance and schemes sponsored by other departments, such as the Blue Badge.

For many benefits and schemes there are additional qualifying conditions, but for some, including the Blue Badge, there are alternative ways of accessing the benefit that do not rely on a particular rate or component of PIP.

Benefits which could be accessed with a PIP award

While you may not qualify for any or all of these benefits, it’s worthwhile checking to make sure you are not missing out on additional support.

• Access to Work


• Blue Badge or the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme


• Carer’s Allowance / Carer Support Payment


• Carer’s Credit


• Christmas Bonus


• Council Tax Reduction


• Employment and Support Allowance - only if you get the PIP daily living component


• Housing Benefit


• Income Support‎


• Jobseeker’s Allowance


• Pension Credit - only if you get the PIP daily living component


• Universal Credit

Where to find help

Anyone who has already claimed PIP or has a general query about their award and what else they may be entitled to claim should call the Disability Service Centre.

You can contact them for advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance. Full contact details including phone numbers can be found on the GOV.UK website.