A coalition of over 30 organisations, led by end-of-life charity Marie Curie, has urged the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) not to force individuals living with terminal illness or progressive, life-limiting conditions to undergo repeated disability benefit reassessments.
In an open letter to DWP minister Stephen Timms on 28 May, the coalition described the reform as a “clear and compassionate” approach to protect vulnerable claimants while the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) collects evidence.
The Case Against Reassessments
The coalition argues that reassessments represent an unnecessary and stressful burden for people already dealing with severe health challenges. They require individuals to repeatedly prove that they are unwell enough to receive financial support that they will always need.
Key points from the coalition include:
- Emotional and financial strain: Reassessments cause distress, uncertainty, and financial anxiety, particularly for those who are terminally ill or living with progressive conditions.
- Low impact on benefit outcomes: Only 2% of PIP awards for people with conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, and Motor Neurone Disease are reduced on review, despite each assessment costing around £282.
- Existing models: Scotland already has lifetime PIP awards for those under the Special Rules route, demonstrating that a more compassionate and practical system is achievable.
Coalition Support and Statements
The coalition includes prominent organisations such as:
- Age UK
- Amnesty International
- MS Society
- Parkinson’s UK
- Trussell Trust
Becca Stacey, senior policy manager at Marie Curie, said:
Too many people living with terminal illness and progressive, life-limiting conditions are being forced to prove just how unwell they are, which is simply wrong.
These reassessments rarely change the outcome, but they cause real distress and uncertainty at a time when people should be focused on comfort, care and time with loved ones.
The UK government has a clear chance to fix this now. Ending reassessments and introducing lifetime awards for people with terminal and progressive, life-limiting conditions would create a fairer, more compassionate system that treats people with dignity.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, added:
At Age UK we think it is inhumane to burden people in these sad situations, and their loved ones, with a full PIP reassessment.
It is also wasteful since in these circumstances there is usually no prospect of the reassessment concluding that the recipient is ineligible for support, for however time-limited the period they may need it.
That’s why we support Marie Curie in calling for these reassessments to end, and we sincerely hope that the Timms Review will provide the mechanism to enable this to happen.
Benefits of Ending PIP Reassessments
The proposed reforms would:
- Reduce stress for terminally ill claimants – allowing them to focus on comfort and family time.
- Save DWP resources – each unnecessary assessment costs around £282, often with no change in outcome.
- Provide a compassionate model – lifetime awards for special cases would align with existing frameworks in Scotland.
The coalition urges the UK government to implement these changes immediately to ensure dignity, fairness, and efficiency in the PIP system.
FAQs
Q1: Who is affected by PIP reassessments?
A: Individuals living with terminal illnesses or progressive, life-limiting conditions who are already receiving PIP.
Q2: What is the coalition calling for?
A: They want the DWP to end unnecessary reassessments and introduce lifetime PIP awards for people with terminal or progressive, life-limiting conditions.
Q3: Why are reassessments considered unnecessary?
A: Only 2% of awards for relevant conditions are reduced on review, but each reassessment costs around £282 and causes significant stress.
Q4: Are there examples of a more compassionate system?
A: Yes, Scotland already offers lifetime PIP awards for those under the Special Rules route.
Q5: Which organisations support this initiative?
A: Age UK, Marie Curie, Amnesty International, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, Trussell Trust, and over 25 others.
