DWP Reveals Who Qualifies for £105 a Week: If you’ve heard about the changes to the UK’s benefits system, especially the £105 a week Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you’re probably wondering what it means for you. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is tightening its criteria starting November 2026, and whether you’ll still qualify under the new rules depends on some key factors. Let’s unpack everything in plain English. No jargon, just facts, examples, and real advice. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a caregiver, or someone living with a long-term condition, this guide will help you figure out where you stand.
DWP Reveals Who Qualifies for £105 a Week
The upcoming PIP eligibility changes are one of the most significant DWP reforms in recent memory. By requiring claimants to score 4 points in a single activity, thousands who currently qualify may be excluded. If you or someone you care about relies on that £105 a week, start preparing today. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Understanding the rules, gathering strong medical evidence, and knowing your rights could be the difference between keeping your benefits or losing them. This isn’t just policy — it’s personal. For hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, this money isn’t “extra”— it’s survival.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Daily Living Component |
| Maximum Weekly Payment | £105 (Enhanced Rate) |
| Eligibility Change Date | November 2026 |
| New Rule | Must score 8 points total and at least 4 points in one daily living activity |
| Affected Groups | New applicants and reviewed claimants post-Nov 2026 |
| Risk Level | High for claimants with low scores spread across activities |
| Safer Groups | Those scoring 4+ in one core activity (e.g. autism, cognitive impairments) |
| Official Resource | gov.uk/pip |
What is PIP and Who Gets It?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help people who live with long-term health issues or disabilities. Unlike some benefits, it doesn’t depend on income or savings. So, you can be working and still qualify.
There are two parts to PIP:
- Daily Living Component – for help with tasks like eating, washing, or taking medication.
- Mobility Component – for support getting around.
In this article, we’re focusing on the daily living component, which can pay up to £105 per week tax-free, if you qualify for the enhanced rate.
What’s Changing in November 2026?
Right now, to get the daily living part of PIP, you must score at least 8 points total across a list of daily living activities.
From November 2026, the DWP is adding a new condition:
- You must still get 8 points total
- But now you must also score at least 4 points in one specific daily living activity
That’s a big shift. Before, someone scoring 2 points in four categories (2+2+2+2 = 8) would qualify. Under the new rule, they won’t.
The government says the change is meant to better support those with more severe or focused needs — but critics argue it could unfairly cut off those whose disabilities affect them in multiple smaller ways.
What Are the Daily Living Activities?
Here’s the list of daily tasks the PIP assessment looks at. For each task, assessors score you from 0 (no help needed) to 8 (full support needed):
- Preparing food
- Eating and drinking
- Managing medications or therapy
- Washing and bathing
- Managing toilet needs
- Dressing and undressing
- Communicating
- Reading
- Mixing with other people
- Making budgeting decisions
If your condition affects one of these activities significantly (scoring 4+ points), you’re more likely to qualify under the new system.
Real-Life Example: Sarah’s Story
Let’s talk about Sarah, a 35-year-old with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and depression. She currently receives the standard rate of PIP:
- 2 points for preparing food
- 2 for washing and bathing
- 2 for managing therapy
- 2 for dressing and undressing
That adds up to 8 points. She qualifies today. But under the new rules? She’s out — because she doesn’t score 4 or more in any one task.
Sarah’s needs are real. But because they’re spread across several areas, she may lose her £105-a-week payment after 2026.
How Many People Are Affected?
According to DWP impact assessments and research briefings from Parliament:
- 46% of current daily living claimants don’t score 4+ in any single activity
- 87% of those on the standard rate would fail the new test
- Up to 800,000 people may lose eligibility by 2029
- Affected households may lose £4,500 annually on average
- An estimated 700,000 families already in poverty could be directly impacted by this change
Who’s Most at Risk?
- People with mild to moderate mental health issues
- Those managing chronic pain or arthritis
- Claimants with fatigue-related conditions like ME/CFS
- People with cognitive impairments that impact many areas lightly, but none deeply
In short, if your needs are widespread but not concentrated, you may not meet the new “4-point” threshold.
Who’s Likely to Qualify?
On the other hand, people who often score high in one category are safer under the new system. That includes:
- Individuals with autism
- Those with learning disabilities
- People who have had a stroke
- Claimants with advanced physical disabilities
- Those with Alzheimer’s or severe cognitive decline
These conditions often result in 4+ points for tasks like communication, dressing, or making decisions.
Step-by-Step Guide: What You Should Do Now As DWP Reveals Who Qualifies for £105 a Week
Step 1: Check Your PIP Scores
If you’ve already had a PIP assessment, request your assessment report from DWP. It shows your current scores for each activity.
How?
Call 0800 121 4433
Or visit: gov.uk/pip
Step 2: Identify Weak Points
Look closely at your score breakdown. Do you score 4+ in any one category? If not, your claim may be at risk under the new rule.
Step 3: Strengthen Your Case
Talk to your GP, social worker, or therapist. Ask for evidence focusing on one specific activity. The DWP wants to see how your condition severely impacts at least one daily task.
Written examples like:
- “This person cannot prepare a simple meal unaided”
- “They need daily reminders to take critical medication”
- “They cannot manage personal hygiene without full assistance”
…can make a real difference.
Step 4: Use Benefit Calculators
Try these free tools:
- Turn2Us PIP Calculator
- EntitledTo PIP Eligibility Tool
These tools simulate your likelihood of qualifying under the updated system.
Step 5: Seek Advocacy Support
If you’re unsure or worried, contact:
- Scope UK
- Citizens Advice
- Disability Rights UK
They offer free support, help with applications, and advice for appeals if you’re denied.
Economic & Political Context
The DWP says these changes aim to ensure “support is better targeted at those with the most serious needs.” But it’s also part of a broader effort to cut billions from the welfare budget.
Critics argue it’s a backdoor cut targeting disabled people with “invisible illnesses” — those whose conditions aren’t obvious or easy to categorize.
The Labour Party, while supporting certain reforms, has faced pressure from disability rights advocates and MPs to reconsider the sharpness of these changes.
What Happens If You’re Denied?
If you lose PIP under the new rule:
- You may receive a 13-week transitional payment
- You can submit a mandatory reconsideration
- You can appeal to a tribunal — and around 65% of appeals succeed, especially with medical evidence
Don’t give up. Many successful claimants win their cases on appeal with better documentation and support.
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