State pensioners will not be affected by upcoming changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed.

PIP is a benefit that provides support to those with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities. It is currently claimed by around 3.7 million people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and it is paid in two different parts. There is a daily living part if you need help with everyday tasks, such as cooking, washing and dressing, and a mobility part if you need help with getting around.

Claimants may be eligible for one or both but each is paid at a different rate. If you get the daily living part, the lower weekly rate is worth £73.90 or £110.40 if you get the higher rate. If you get the mobility part, the lower weekly rate is worth £29.20 or £77.05 if you get the higher rate.

Earlier this year the government announced plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for PIP as part of plans to get more working-age people currently on benefits back into work. Under the plans, PIP will be targeted more at those with higher needs. From November 2026, claimants will need to score a minimum of four points on one daily living activity, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria.

The government also plans to carry out more frequent assessments for people claiming PIP, with more of these assessments to be done face-to-face.

DWP figures show that 690,186 people aged between 65 and 79 were receiving PIP in January this year, but the government has confirmed that pensioners will be exempt from the upcoming PIP reforms.

In a written response to Labour MP Paula Barker, pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said: “Our intention is that the new eligibility requirement in PIP in which people must score a minimum of four points in one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component, will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.

“In keeping with existing policy, people of state pension age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by the proposed changes.”

Additionally, Sir Stephen also provided a written assurance that people receiving end-of-life care who are on PIP will continue to have access to the enhanced daily living component rate of PIP under the reforms.

He said: “We recognise that people nearing the end of their life are some of the most vulnerable people in society and need fast-track and unqualified support at this difficult time.

“People who claim, or are in receipt of, PIP, and are nearing the end of their life with 12 months or less to live, will continue to be able to access the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP.

“We will also maintain the existing fast-track route under the special rules for end of life and where claims are currently being cleared in two working days. This fast-track route will not be impacted by the new eligibility requirement for PIP.”

Current PIP eligibility rules state that you must be under State Pension age to claim it if you haven’t received PIP before. So if you are already over State Pension age, which is currently 66, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

But if you have received PIP before, you can still make a new claim if you were eligible for it in the year before you reached State Pension age.